Conflicting Statutes

Conflicting Statutes EFFECT SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE ENTIRE STATUTE It ma !a""en t!at in a statute# conflicting clauses an$ "%o&isions ma a%ise' A "%o&ision "%o&ision o% section in an ea%lie% c!a"te% cont%a$icts a "%o&ision o% section in a late% c!a"te% of t!e statute' In suc! situation ma a%ise# t!e statute must (e const%ue$ as a )!ole' It is a "%inci"le of legal !e%maneutics t!at in inte%"%eting a statute o% set of %ules fo% t!at matte%# ca%e s!oul$ (e ta*en t!at e&e% "a%t s!oul$ (e gi&en effect# on t!e t!eo% t!at it )as enacte$ as an integ%ate$ measu%e an$ not as a !o$ge+"o$ge of conflicting "%o&isions' T!e %ule is t!at a const%uction )!ic! )oul$ %en$e% a "%o&ision ino"e%ati&e s!oul$ (e a&oi$e$, instea$ a""a%entl inconsistent "%o&isions s!oul$ (e %econcile$ )!ene&e% "ossi(le as "a%ts of coo%$inate$ an$ !a%monious )!ole' -.// 0%omotion &s' NLRC1 STATUTES IN 0ARI /ATERIA It is also not uncommon t!at statutes %elate to t!e same su(2ect matte%# o% to t!e same class "e%sons o% t!ings# o% !a&e t!e same "u%"ose o% su(2ect' T!ese a%e statutes in "a%i mate%ial' Statutes in "a%i mate%ial s!oul$ (e const%ue$ toget!e%, eac! legislati&e act is to (e inte%"%ete$ )it! %efe%ence to ot!e% acts %elating to t!e same matte% o% su(2ect' E&en if &a%ious acts !a&e not (een enacte$ simultaneousl an$ $o not %efe% to eac! ot!e% e3"%essl# an$ alt!oug! some of t!em !a&e (een %e"eale$ o% !a&e e3"i%e$# o% !el$ unconstitutional o% in&ali$' Ho)e&e%# if statutes of e4ual t!eo%etical a""lication to a "a%ticula% case cannot (e %econcile$# THE STATUTE OF LATER DATE /UST 0REVAIL BEING THE LATE E50RESSION OF LEGISLATIVE 6ILL' But t!en again# effo%t must (e e3e%te$ to a&oi$ a conflict (et)een statutes' If %easona(le const%uction is "ossi(le# t!e la) must (e %econcile$ in t!at manne%' Re"eal of la)s ( im"lication a%e not fa&o%e$# an$ t!e me%e %e"ugnanc (et)een to statutes s!oul$ (e &e% clea% to )a%%ant t!e Cou%t in !ol$ing t!at t!e late% in time %e"eals t!e ot!e%' GENERAL AND S0ECIAL STATUTES STATUTES Sometimes )e fin$ statutes t%eating a su(2ect in gene%al te%ms an$ anot!e% t%eating a "a%t of t!e same su(2ect in "a%ticula%l $etaile$ manne%' If t!is ma a%ise# it is t!e $ut of t!e cou%t# if "ossi(le# to gi&e effect to (ot!' On t!e ot!e% !an$# if (ot! statutes a%e i%%econcila(le# t!e gene%al statute must gi&e )a to t!e s"ecial o% "a%ticula% "%o&isions an e3ce"tion to t!e gene%al "%o&isions -N0C &s' 0%es .u$ge of RTC1 T!is is so e&en if t!e gene%al statute is a late% enactment of t!e legislatu%e an$ (%oa$ enoug! to inclu$e t!e cases in s"ecial la) unless t!e%e is a manifest intent to %e"eal o% alte% t!e s"ecial la)# suc! as )!en t!e late% gene%al la) contains a %e"ealing clause )!ic! in$icates clea%l t!e legislati&e intent to %e"eal all "%io% inconsistent la)s on t!e su(2ect matte%# t!en t!e afo%esai$ %ule no longe% a""lies' STATUTE STATUTE AND ORDINANCE ORDI NANCE  Again t!e %ule is t!at if (ot! t!e t!e statute an$ t!e t!e o%$inance can stan$ stan$ toget!e%# effect s!oul$ s!oul$ (e gi&en to (ot!' (ot!' Ne&e%t!eless# ifif t!e%e is a conflict (et)een an o%$inance an$ a statute# t!e o%$inance must gi&e )a' )a' 7' Stat Statut utes es in "a%i "a%i mate mate%i %ial al 6!ene&e% t)o statutes of $iffe%ent $ates 0NB 0NB VS'CRU 'CRU8 8 0%efe %efe%e %enc nce e 9 )o%*e o%*e%s %s o&e% o&e% c%e$ c%e$it ito o%s an$ of cont%a% teno% a%e of e4ual t!eo%etical a""lication to a "a%ticula% case# t!e statute of  T!e Cou%t must u"!ol$ t!e "%efe%ence acco%$e$ to t!e "%i&ate a late% $ate must "%e&ail (eing a late% %es"on$ents in &ie) of t!e "%o&isions of A%ticle A%ticle 77: of t!e e3"%ession of legislati&e )ill' La(o% Co$e )!ic! a%e clea% an$ a$mit no inte%"%etation' T!e "!%ase ;an "%o&isions of t!e la) to t!e cont%a% not)it!stan$ing< in$icates t!at s!all "%e&ail $es"ite t!e o%$e% set in A%ticles ==>7 to ==>? of t!e Ci&il Co$e' No e3ce"tions )e%e "%o&i$e$ un$e% t!e sai$ a%ticle# !encefo%t!# none s!all (e consi$e%e$' Fu%t!e%mo%e# t!e La(o% Co$e )as signe$ into la) $eca$es afte% t!e Ci&il Co$e too* effect' 555 T!e Ci&il Co$e "%o&isions must iel$ to t!e A%ticle 77: 77: of t!e La(o% Co$e' Roman Cat!olic  A$minist%ation of Da&ao &s' LRC =' Gene%a Gene%all an$ an$ S"eci S"ecial al Stat Statute utes s Re"e Re"eals als A S"ecial la) "%e&ails o&e% a gene%al Lo"e@ VS' CSC  A""ointment to t!e t!e Boa%$ la) %ega%$less of t!ei% $ates of "assage# an$ t!e s"ecial la) is to (e consi$e%e$ as ISSUE9 6!et!e% o% T!e%e is no $ou(t t!at RA No' >: )!ic! "%o&i$es s"ecificall %emaining an e3ce"tion to t!e gene%al la)' not t!e Cit Council fo% t!e o%gani@ation of t!e Go&e%nment of Cit of /anila# is a of /anila still !as s"ecial la)# an$ )!e%eas R'A' No' ?7? an$ B0 Blg'# t!e "o)e% to )!ic! a""l to t!e munici"al go&e%nments in gene%al# a%e a""oint council gene%al la)s' As t!e Sol Gen "oints out# an$ )e ag%ee )it! office%s an$ !im it is a canon of statuto% const%uction t!at 555 em"loees un$e% RA No' >:# So also# effo%t must (e e3e%te$ to a&oi$ a conflict (et)een ot!e%)ise *no)n as statutes' If %easona(le const%uction is "ossi(le# t!e la)s must t!e C!a%te% of t!e (e %econcile$ in t!at manne%' Cit of /anila# o% )!et!e% t!e "o)e% Re"eal of la)s ( im"lication mo%eo&e% a%e not fa&o%e$# an$ is no) &este$ )it! t!e me%e %e"ugnanc (et)een t)o statutes s!oul$ (e &e% t!e Cit /ao% clea% to )a%%ant t!e cou%t in !ol$ing t!at t!e late% in time "u%suant to RA No' %e"eals t!e ot!e%' ?7?# t!e Decent%ali@ation la)# an$ B0

A s"ecial la) must (e inten$e$ to constitute an e3ce"tion to gene%al la) in t!e a(sence of s"ecial ci%cumstances fo%cing a cont%a% conclusion'

6!en cou%ts a%e conf%onte$ )it! a""a%entl conflicting statutes# t!e s!oul$ not $ecla%e out%ig!t t!e in&ali$it of one against t!e ot!e%# (ut s!oul$ en$ea&o% to %econcile t!em'

T!e %ule is t!at a s"ecial an$ local statute a""lica(le to a "a%ticula% case is not %e"eale$ ( a late% statute )!ic! is gene%al in its te%ms# "%o&isions an$ a""lication e&en if t!e te%ms of t!e gene%al act a%e (%oa$ enoug! to inclu$e t!e cases in t!e s"ecial la) unless t!e%e is manifest intent to %e"eal o% alte% t!e s"ecial la)'

Blg'# t!e Local Go&e%nment Co$e NA0OCOR VS' 0%esi$ing .u$ge of RTC B%anc! =?

Go%$on VS' .u$ge Ve%i$iano T!e issue (efo%e t!e Cou%t is t!e conflict (et)een t!e Foo$ an$ D%ug  A$minist%ation an$ t!e mao% of Olonga"o Cit o&e%  t!e "o)e% to g%ant an$ %e&o*e licenses fo% t!e o"e%ation of $%ug sto%es in t!e sai$ cit' 6!ile conce$ing t!e FDA "ossesses suc! "o)e%# t!e mao% claims !e ma ne&e%t!eless in t!e e3e%cise in !is o)n "o)e%# "%e&ent t!e o"e%ation of $%ug sto%es "%e&iousl "e%mitte$ ( t!e fo%me%' 0ROVINCE OF /ISA/IS ORIENTAL VS' CE0ALCO 6!et!e% o% not a co%"o%ation )!ose f%anc!ise e3"%essl "%o&i$e$ t!at t!e

Collection of %eal "%o"e%t ta3 an$ s"ecial e$ucation ta3 In %econciling t!ese t)o conflicting "%o&isions of 0D =>= an$ 0D >> on t!e matte% of 2u%is$iction# )e a%e gui$e$ ( t!e (asic %ules on statuto% const%uction'  As e3amination of t!ese t)o $ec%ees s!o)s t!at 0D =>= is a gene%al la) )!ic! $eals )it! a$minist%ati&e settlement o% a$2u$ication of $is"utes# claims o% cont%o&e%sies (et)een o% among go&t offices# agencies an$ inst%umentalities# inclu$ing GOCCs' T!e co&e%age is (%oa$ an$ s)ee"ing# encom"assing all $is"utes# claims an$ cont%o&e%sies' 0D >># on t!e ot!e% !an$# go&e%ns t!e a""%aisal an$ assessment of %eal "%o"e%t fo% t!e "u%"ose of ta3ation ( "%o&inces# cities an$ munici"alities# as )ell as t!e le&# collection an$ a$minist%ation of %eal "%o"e%t ta3' It is a s"ecial la) )!ic! $eals s"ecificall )it! %eal "%o"e%t ta3es' It is a (asic tenet in statuto% const%uction t!at (et)een a gene%al an$ a s"ecial la)# t!e s"ecial la) "%e&ails' GENERALIA S0ECIAL+IBUS NON DEROGANT' 6!e%e a s"ecial la) on a "a%ticula% su(2ect is %e"ugnant to# o% inconsistent )it!# a "%io% gene%al la) on t!e same su(2ect# a "a%tial %e"eal of t!e latte% )ill (e im"lie$ to t!e e3tent of t!e %e"ugnanc o% an e3ce"tion g%afte$ u"on t!e gene%al la)' 555 T!e conflict in t!e "%o&isions on 2u%is$iction (et)een 0D =>= an$ 0D >> s!oul$ (e %esol&e$ in fa&o% of t!e latte% la)# since is a s"ecial la) an$ of late% enactment' 0D =>= must iel$ to 0D >> on t!e matte% of )!o o% )!ic! t%i(unal o% agenc !as  2u%is$iction o&e% t!e enfo%cement an$ collection of %eal "%o"e%t ta3es' T!e%efo%e# %es"on$ent cou%t !as 2u%is$iction to !ea% an$ $eci$e t!e afo%ementione$ case' T)o $%ugsto%es Settle$ is t!e %ule t!at t!e factual fin$ings of a$minist%ati&e aut!o%ities a%e accounte$ g%eat %es"ect (ecause of t!ei% ac*no)le$ge$ e3"e%tise in t!e fiel$s of s"eciali@ation to )!ic! t!e a%e assigne$' E&en t!e cou%ts of 2ustice# inclu$ing t!is Cou%t# a%e conclu$e$ ( suc! fin$ings in t!e a(sence of t!e clea% s!o)ing of a g%a&e a(use of $isc%etion# )!ic! is not "%esent at t!e case at (a%' Fo% all !is e3"e%ience in t!e enfo%cement of cit o%$inances# t!e "etitione% cannot claim t!e su"e%io% a"titu$es of t!e FDA in t!e enfo%cement of "!a%mac an$ $%ug a$$iction la)s' He s!oul$ t!e%efo%e also (e "%e"a%e$# li*e t!e cou%ts of 2ustice t!emsel&es# to acce"t its $ecision on t!is matte%'

To install# o"e%ate an$ maintain an elect%ic lig!t# !eat an$ "o)e% sstem T!e%e is no "%o&ision in 0D No' =7 e3"%essl o% im"lie$l amen$ing o% %e"ealing Section  of A No' :=:' T!e "e%cei&e$ %e"ugnanc (et)een t!e t)o statutes s!oul$ (e &e% clea% (efo%e t!e cou%t ma !ol$ t!e "%io% one !as (een %e"eale$ ( t!e late% one# since t!e%e is no e3"%ess "%o&ision to t!at effect' T!e %ule is t!at a s"ecial an$ local statute a""lica(le to a

It is a )ell+settle$ %ule t!at a su(stanti&e la) cannot (e amen$e$ ( a "%oce$u%al la)'

"ament of t!e f%anc!ise ta3 of of t!e g%oss ea%nings s!all (e in lieu of all ta3es an$ assessments of )!ate&e% aut!o%it u"on "%i&ileges# ea%nings# income# f%anc!ise# an$ "oles# )i%es# t%ansfo%me%s# an$ insulato%s of t!e g%antee< is e3em"t f%om "aing a "%o&l f%anc!ise ta3' 0NB VS' Asuncion ISSUE9 6!et!e% o% not t!e enti%e case against all t!e soli$a% $e(to%s can $e $ismisse$ in &ie) of t!e $e(t of one of t!e soli$a% $e(to% 

 A gene%al la) cannot %e"eal a s"ecial la)'

0eo"le VS' 0alma 6!et!e% o% not t!e issuance of 0D : -C!il$ an$ out! 6elfa%e Co$e1 )!ic! $efines out!ful offen$e%s as t!ose o&e%  ea%s (ut un$e% =7 at t!e time of t!e commission of t!e offense t%ansfe% t!e case of t!e accuse$ f%om t!e %egula% cou%ts to t!e .u&enile Cou%t'

"a%ticula% case is not %e"eale$ ( t!e late% statute )!ic! is gene%al in its te%ms# "%o&isions an$ a""lications e&en if t!e te%ms of t!e gene%al la) a%e (%oa$ enoug! to inclu$e t!e cases in t!e s"ecial la) unless t!e%e is a manifest intent to %e"eal o% alte% t!e s"ecial la)' RA Nos' =># ?: an$ :=: a%e s"ecial la)s a""lica(le onl to CE0ALCO# )!ile 0D No' =7 is a gene%al ta3 la) (ecause t!e "e%tain to a s"ecial c!a%te% g%ante$ to meet a "a%ticula% set of con$itions an$ ci%cumstances' T!e f%anc!ise of %es"on$ent CE0ALCO e3"%essl e3em"ts it f%om "ament of ;all ta3es of )!ate&e% aut!o%it< e3ce"t t!e  ta3 on its g%oss ea%nings'

0etitione%s contention is )ell ta*en' Res"on$ent cou%ts %eliance on Sec'# Rule  of t!e Re&ise$ Rules of Cou%t )as e%%oneous'  A cu%so% "e%usal of Sec'# Rule  of t!e Re&ise$ ROC %e&eals t!at not!ing t!e%ein "%e&ents a c%e$ito% f%om "%ocee$ing against t!e su%&i&ing soli$a% $e(to%s' Sai$ "%o&ision me%el sets u" t!e "%oce$u%e in enfo%cing collection in case a c%e$ito% c!ooses to "u%sue !is claim against t!e estate of t!e $ecease$ soli$a% $e(to%' T!e %ule !as (een set fo%t! t!at a c%e$ito% -in a soli$a% o(ligation1 !as t!e o"tion )!et!e% to file o% not to file a claim against t!e estate of t!e soli$a% $e(to%'  As co%%ectl a%gue$ ( t!e "etitione%# if sec # Rule  of t!e Re&ise$ Rules of Cou%t )e%e a""lie$ lite%all# ARTICLE 7=7 of t!e NCC )oul$# in effect# (e %e"eale$ since un$e% t!e Rules of Cou%t# "etitione% !as no c!oice (ut to "%ocee$ against t!e estate of /anuel H' Ba%%e$o onl' O(&iousl# t!is "%o&ision $iminis!es t!e (an*s %ig!t un$e% t!e NCC to "%ocee$ against an one# some o% all of t!e soli$a% $e(to%s' Suc! a const%uction is not sanctione$ ( t!e "%inci"le )!ic! is too )ell+settle$ to %e4ui%e citation# t!at a su(stanti&e la) can not (e amen$e$ ( a "%oce$u%al %ule' Ot!e%)ise state$# sec'# Rule  of t!e Re&ise$ Rules of Cou%t cannot (e ma$e to "%e&ail o&e% A%ticle 7=7 of t!e NCC# t!e fo%me% (eing me%el "%oce$u%al )!ile t!e latte% is su(stanti&e' /o%eo&e%# no less t!an t!e Ne) Constitution of t!e 0!ils'# in Sec'?# A%ticle 5# "%o&i$es t!at %ules "%omulgate$ ( t!e Su"%eme Cou%t s!oul$ not $iminis!# inc%ease o% mo$if su(stanti&e %ig!ts' 7 ea%s ol$  &ag%anc+2u%is$iction RA No'?7 )!ic! too* effect in 7= c%eate$ t!e Cama%ines Su% .u&enile an$ Domestic Relations Cou%t an$ e3"%essl confe%%e$ u"on it s"ecial an$ limite$ 2u%is$iction o&e% c%iminal cases )!e%ein t!e accuse$ is un$e% 7 ea%s of age at t!e time of t!e filing of t!e case' T!e su(se4uent issuance of 0D No' : *no)n as t!e C!il$ out! 6elfa%e Co$e )!ic! too* effect in 7? an$ $efines in  A%ticle 7 s out!ful offen$e% as ;one )!o is o&e%  ea%s (ut un$e% =7 ea%s of age at t!e time of t!e commission of t!e offense< $i$ not ( suc! $efinition t%ansfe% 2u%is$iction o&e% c%iminal cases in&ol&ing accuse$ )!o a%e 7 ea%s an$ (elo) =7 ea%s of age f%om t!e %egula% cou%t to t!e .u&enile Cou%t# as o"ine$ ( t!e %es"on$ent 2u$ge' 0D : conce%ning t!e )elfa%e of t!e c!il$ an$ t!e out! t!%oug!out t!e count% is a gene%al la) )!ile RA ?7 )!ic! $efines an$ confe%s 2u%is$iction on t!e .u&enile an$ Domestic Relations Cou%t of Cama%ines Su% is a s"ecial la)# classifing e3"%essl t!at it can t% c%iminal cases in&ol&ing offen$e%$ (elo) t!e age of ma2o%it onl t!ose )!o a%e un$e% 7 ea%s

of age at t!e time of t!e filing of t!e case' 555 T!e %e"eal must (e e3"%ess an$ s"ecific' Fu%t!e%mo%e# t!e .u&enile Cou%t of Cama%ines Su% is a s cou%t of s"ecial an$ limite$ 2u%is$iction an$ t!e enla%gement o% confe%ment of a$$itional 2u%is$iction on t!e sai$ cou%t to inclu$e accuse$ "e%sons )!o a%e 7 ea%s an$ un$e% =7 ea%s of age must "ositi&el a""ea% in e3"%ess te%ms'

In case of conflict (et)een gene%al "%o&ision of a s"ecial la) an$ a "a%ticula% "%o&ision of gene%al la)# t!e latte% s!oul$ "%e&ail'

Cit of /anila VS' Teotico

6!e%e a s"ecial statute %efe%s to a su(2ect in gene%al# )!ic! t!e gene%al statute t%eats in "a%ticula%# t!e "%o&ision of t!e latte%# in case of conflict# )ill "%e&ail'

Bagatsing VS' Rami%e@

It is a (asic %ule in statuto% const%uction t!at enactment of a late% legislation )!ic! is a gene%al la) cannot (e const%ue$ to !a&e %e"eale$ a s"ecial la)'

6ON t!e "%esent case is go&e%ne$ ( t!e C!a%te% of t!e Cit of /anila o% ( A%ticle =7 of t!e Ci&il Co$e

6!at la) s!all go&e%n t!e "u(lication of t!e ta3 o%$inance enacte$ ( t!e /unici"al Boa%$ of /anila# t!e Re&ise$ Cit C!a%te%# )!ic! %e4ui%es t!e "u(lication of t!e o%$inance (efo%e its enactment an$ afte% its a""%o&al# o% t!e Local ta3 Co$e -0D =71 )!ic! onl $eman$s "u(lication afte% a""%o&al' Laguna La*e De&'  Aut!o%it VS' Cou%t of A""eals 6!ic! agenc of t!e Go&t t!e Laguna La*e De&t  Aut!o%it of t!e to)ns an$ munici"alities com"%ising t!e %egion s!oul$ e3e%cise 2u%is$iction

Re9 /an!ole T!e CA a""lie$ t!e Ci&il Co$e an$ )e# t!in*# co%%ectl' It is t%ue t!at insofa% as its te%%ito%ial a""lication is conce%ne$# RA No' >: is a s"ecial la) an$ Ci&il Co$ a gene%al legislation, (ut as %ega%$s t!e su(2ect matte% of t!e "%o&isions a(o&e 4uote$# RA no' >: esta(lis!es a gene%al %ule %egulating t!e lia(ilit of /anila fo% ;$amages o% in2u% to "e%sons o% "%o"e%t a%ising f%om t!e failu%e of t!e ;cit office%s< to enfo%ce t!e "%o&isions of sai$ Act ;o% an ot!e% la) o% o%$inance# o% f%om negligence< of t!e cit ;/ao%# /unici"al Boa%$ o% ot!e% office%s )!ile enfo%cing o% attem"ting to enfo%ce sai$ "%o&isions'< U"on t!e ot!e% !an$# A%ticle =7 of t!e Ci&il Co$e constitutes a "a%ticula% "%esc%i"tion ma*ing ;"%o&inces# cities an$ munici"alities lia(le fo% t!e $amages fo% t!e $eat! of# in2u% suffe%e$ (# an "e%son ( %eason<  s"eciall  ;of t!e $efecti&e con$ition of %oa$s# st%eets# (%i$ges# "u(lic (uil$ings# an$ ot!e% "u(lic )o%*s un$e% t!ei% cont%ol an$ su"e%&ision' In other words, said Section 4 refers to liability arising from negligence, in general, regardless of the object thereof, whereas Article 2189 governs liabilities governing  “defective streets, in artic!lar" Since the resent case is based !on the alleged defective condition of the road, said art#2189 is decisive thereon" Re9 O%$inance %egulating t!e o"e%ation of t!e "u(lic ma%*ets In %ega%$ to o%$inances in gene%al# t!e Re&ise$ C!a%te% of Cit of /anila is $ou(tless $ominant# (ut t!at $ominant fo%ce loses its continuit )!en it a""%oac!es t!e %ealm of ;o%$inances le&ing o% im"osing ta3es# fees o% ot!e% c!a%ges in "a%ticula%' T!e%e# t!e Local Ta3 Co$e cont%ols' He%e# as al)as# a gene%al "%o&ision must gi&e )a to a "a%ticula% "%o&ision' S"ecial "%o&ision go&e%ns' In ot!e% )o%$s# t!e Re&ise$ C!a%te%  of t!e Cit "%esc%i(es a %ule fo% t!e "u(lication of o%$inance in gene%al )!ile t!e Local Ta3 Co$e esta(lis!es a %ule fo% t!e "u(lication of o%$inance le&ing o% im"osing ta3es# fees o% ot!e% c!a%ges in "a%ticula%'

6!e%e t!e%e is a conflict (et)een a gene%al an$ s"ecial statute# t!e s"ecial statute s!oul$ "%e&ail since it e&inces t!e legislati&e intent mo%e clea%l t!an t!e gene%al statute' T!e s"ecial la) is to (e ta*en as an e3ce"tion to t!e gene%al la) in t!e a(sence of s"ecial ci%cumstances fo%cing a cont%a% conclusion' T!is is (ecause im"lie$ %e"eals a%e not fa&o%e$ an$ as muc! as "ossi(le# effect must (e gi&en to all enactments of t!e legislatu%e' A s"ecial la) cannot (e %e"eale$# amen$e$ o% alte%e$ ( a su(se4uent gene%al la) ( im"lication' T!us# it !as to (e conclu$e$ t!at t!e c!a%te% of t!e Aut!o%it s!oul$ "%e&ail o&e% t!e Local Go&t Co$e of 77' T!e "o)e% of t!e local go&t units to issue fis!ing "%i&ileges

o&e% t!e Laguna La*e an$ its en&i%ons insofa% as t!e issuance of "e%mits fo% fis!e% "%i&ileges is conce%ne$

E&e% Statute must (e so inte%"%ete$ an$ (%oug!t in acco%$ )it! ot!e% la)s as to fo%m a unifo%m sstem of 2u%is"%u$ence  inte%"%eta%e et conco%$a%e legi(us est o"timus inte%"%eten$i'

)as clea%l g%ante$ fo% %e&enue "u%"oses' On t!e ot!e% !an$# t!e "o)e% of t!e aut!o%it to g%ant "e%mits fo% fis!"ens# fis!cages an$ ot!e% a4uacultu%e st%uctu%es is fo% t!e "u%"ose of effecti&el %egulating an$ monito%ing acti&ities in Laguna $e (a %egion an$ fo% la*e 4ualit cont%ol an$ management' It $oes "a%ta*e of t!e natu%e of "olice "o)e% )!ic! is t!e most "e%&asi&e# t!e least limita(le an$ t!e most $eman$ing of all State "o)e%s inclu$ing t!e "o)e% of ta3ation' Acco%$ingl# t!e c!a%te% of t!e Aut!o%it )!ic! em(o$ies &ali$ e3e%cise of "olice "o)e% s!oul$ "%e&ail o&e% t!e Local Go&t Co$e of 77 on matte%s go&e%ning Laguna $e (a'

Cit 6a%$en of t!e /la Cit 2ail &s' Est%ella

Recana &s' CA Re"u(lic &s' CA 3. Statutes an$ A$minist%ati&e Rules It is an elementa% "%inci"le in statuto% const%uction t!at a statute is su"e%io% to an a$minist%ati&e $i%ecti&e an$ t!e fo%me% cannot (e %e"eale$ o% amen$e$ ( t!e latte%' >' Statutes an$ O%$inances O%$inance s!oul$ not cont%a&ene a statute' In case of conflict (et)een an o%$inance an$ a statute t!e latte% )ill "%e&ail'

C!ina Ban*ing Co%" &s' CA

/agta2as &s' 0%ce 0%o"e%ties Co%"

6!et!e% o% not O%$inance ? an$ ?+ as enacte$ ( t!e Sanguniang 0anlunso$ of Cagaan $e O%o Cit a%e &ali$' 0%imicias &s' /unici"alit of U%$aneta# 0angasinan

Municipal Ordinance Inferior to Statute  An essential %e4uisite fo% a &ali$ o%$inance is among ot!e%s# t!at it ;must not cont%a&eneJ t!e statute#< fo% it is a ;fun$amental "%inci"le t!at munici"al o%$inances a%e infe%io% in status an$ su(o%$inate to t!e la)s of t!e 6!et!e% t!e state'< Follo)ing t!is gene%al %ule# whenever  o%$inance is &ali$ there is a conflict between an ordinance and a statute, the ordinance “must give way.” Construction and Interpretation of the Constitution 7' Effecti&it Ceni@a &s' CO/ELEC T!e constitutional "%o&ision on natu%al+(o%n Co &s' Electo%al citi@ens of t!e 0!ili""ines gi&en %et%oacti&e T%i(unal effect T!e s"i%it an$ inten$ment of t!e la) must "%e&ail o&e% t!e lette% t!e%eof' Es"eciall )!e%e a$!e%ence to t!e latte% )oul$ %esult in a(su%$it o% in2ustice'

ISSUE9 6!et!e% o% not# in ma*ing t!e $ete%mination# t!e HRET acte$ )it! g%a&e a(use of $isc%etion

Re9 Gam(ling On t!e assum"tion of conflict (et)een 0D 7 an$ t!e Co$e t!e "%o"e% action is not to u"!ol$ one an$ annul t!e ot!e% (ut to gi&e effect to (ot! ( !a%moni@ing t!em if "ossi(le' T!is is "ossi(le in t!e case (efo%e us' T!e "%o"e% %esolution of t!e "%o(lem at !an$ is to !ol$ t!at un$e% t!e Local Go&e%nment Co$e# local go&e%nments units ma -an$ in$ee$ must1 "%e&ent an$ su""%ess all *in$s of gam(ling )it!in t!ei% te%%ito%ies e3ce"t onl t!ose allo)e$ ( statutes li*e 0D 7' T!e e3ce"tion %ese%&e$ in suc! la)s must (e %ea$ into t!e Co$e an$ suc! la)s e4uall effecti&e an$ mutuall com"lementa%' T!is a""%oac! )oul$ affi%m t!at t!e%e a%e in$ee$ t)o *in$s of gam(ling# to )it# t!e illegal an$ t!ose aut!o%i@e$ ( la)' T!e "etitione%s suggestion t!at t!e Co$e aut!o%i@es t!em to "%o!i(it all *in$s of gam(ling )oul$ e%ase t!e $istinction (et)een t!ese t)o fo%ms of gam(ling )it!out t!e clea% in$ication t!at t!is is t!e )ill of t!e legislatu%e' Re9 O&e%ta*ing of a t%uc* T!e &ali$it of t!e o%$inance must (e $ete%mine$ &is+K+&is RA No'>7# t!e mot!e% statute so to s"ea* )!ic! )as in fo%ce at t!e time t!e c%iminal case )as (%oug!t against 0%imicias fo% t!e &iolation of t!e sai$ o%$inance'

0etitione%s Co# et'al' come to t!is Cou%t fo% t!e %e&e%sal of a $ecision of t!e HRET' T!e HRET $ecla%e$ t!at %es"on$ent .ose Ong# .%' is a natu%al (o%n Fili"ino citi@en an$ a %esi$ent of  Laoang# No%t!e%n Sama% fo% &oting "u%"oses' HELD9 T!e Cou%t inte%"%ets Sec'7 0a%'  of A%ticle IV of ou% 7 Constitution )!ic! %ea$s9 ;T!ose (o%n (efo%e .anua% 7# 7 of Fili"ino mot!e%s# )!o elect 0!ili""ine citi@ens!i" u"on %eac!ing t!e age of ma2o%it< as a""ling not onl to t!ose )!o elect 0!ili""ine citi@ens!i" afte% Fe(' =# 7 (ut also to t!ose )!o# !a&ing (een (o%n of Fili"ino mot!e%s# electe$ citi@ens!i" (efo%e t!at $ate'

T!e 0%o&ision )as inten$e$ to co%%ect an unfai% "osition )!ic! $isc%iminates against Fili"ino )omen' T!e%e is no am(iguit in t!e $eli(e%ations of t!e Constitutional Commission' T!e $eli(e%ation %e&eals t!e intent of t!e f%ame%s' To ma*e t!e "%o&ision "%os"ecti&e f%om Fe( # 7 is to gi&e a na%%o) inte%"%etation %esulting in an ine4uita(le situation' It must also (e %et%oacti&e' T!e Constitutional "%o&ision in 4uestion is# t!e%efo%e# cu%ati&e in natu%e' T!e HRET $ecision is affi%me$' .ose Ong# .%' )!ose mot!e% is a natu%al+(o%n citi@en an$ )!ose fat!e% !a$ (een natu%ali@e$ )!en !e )as  ea%s ol$ is $ecla%e$ a natu%al+(o%n citi@en of t!e 0!ili""ines' Has manifeste$ "ositi&e acts J' =' /eaning to (e Gi&en Its Language T!e )ell+esta(lis!e$ %ule in statuto% const%uction t!at t!e language of t!e Constitution# as muc! as "ossi(le s!oul$ (e un$e%stoo$ in t!e sense t!at it !as in common use an$ t!e )o%$s use$ in constitutional "%o&isions a%e to (e gi&en t!ei%  o%$ina% meaning e3ce"t )!en tec!nical te%ms a%e em"loe$# is a""lie$ in t!is case'

T!e Cou%t in const%uing t!e constitution s!oul$ (ea% in min$ t!e o(2ect soug!t to (e accom"lis!e$ ( its a$o"tion an$ t!e e&ils if an soug!t to (e "%e&ente$ o% %eme$ie$, a $ou(tful "%o&ision )ill (e e3amine$ in t!e lig!t of t!e !isto% of t!e times an$ t!e con$ition an$ ci%cumstances un$e% )!ic! t!e Constitution )as fo%me$' T!e f%ame%s intent )as TO I/0OSE A STRICTER 0ROHIBITION ON THE 0RESIDENT AND HIS OFFICIAL FA/IL IN HOLDING OTHER OFFICES OR E/0LO/ENT'

O%$illo &s' CO/ELEC

CLU &s' E3e Sec

T!e 4uestion %aise$ in t!is "etition is )!et!e% o% not t!e "%o&ince of Ifugao# (eing t!e onl "%o&ince )!ic! &ote$ fa&o%a(l fo% t!e c%eation of t!e Co%$ille%a Autonomous Region can# alone# legall an$ &ali$l constitutes suc! %egion' HELD9 T!e sole "%o&ince of Ifugao cannot &ali$l constitute t!e Co%$ille%a Autonomous Region' It is e3"licit in a%ticle C Section 7? of t!e 7 Constitution t!at9 ;T!e%e s!all (e c%eate$ autonomous %egions in /uslim /in$anao an$ in t!e Co%$ille%a consisting of "%o&inces# cities# munici"alities an$ geog%a"!ical a%eas s!a%ing common an$ $istincti&e !isto%ical an$ cultu%al !e%itage# economic an$ social st%uctu%es 333< T!e *e)o%$s "%o&inces# cities# munici"alities an$ geog%a"!ical a%eas connote t!at ;%egion< is to (e ma$e u" of mo%e t!an one constituent unit' T!e te%m ;%egion< use$ in its o%$ina% sense means t)o o% mo%e "%o&inces' Ifugao is a "%o&ince ( itself' To (ecome "a%t of a %egion# it must 2oin ot!e%  "%o&inces# cities# munici"alities an$ geog%a"!ical a%eas (ecause of t!ei% common an$ $istincti&e !isto%ical an$ cultu%al !e%itage' T!e constitutional %e4ui%ements a%e not "%esent in t!is case' 555 CO/ELEC Resolution No' ==? insofa% as it u"!ol$s t!e c%eation of an autonomous %egion is $ecla%e$ null an$ &oi$' E'O' No' => issue$ on .ul =?# 7 )!ic! in effect allo)s mem(e%s of t!e Ca(inet# t!ei% un$e%sec%eta%ies an$ assistant sec%eta%ies to !ol$ ot!e% go&e%nment offices o% "ositions# alt!oug! su(2ect to t!e limitation t!e%ein im"ose$# )as $ecla%e$ null an$ &oi$ as it %uns counte% to t!e "%o&isions of sec 7# a%t' VII of t!e 7 Constitution )!ic! "%o&i$es9 ;T!e 0%esi$ent# Vice+0%esi$ent# t!e /em(e%s of t!e Ca(inet an$ t!ei% $e"uties o% assistants s!all not# unless "%o&i$e$ in t!is Constitution# !ol$ an ot!e% office o% em"loment $u%ing t!ei% tenu%e'333< HELD9 Since t!e e&i$ent "u%"ose of t!e f%ame%s of t!e 7 Constitution is to im"ose a st%icte% "%o!i(ition on t!e 0%esi$ent# Vice+0%esi$ent# /em(e%s of t!e Ca(inet# t!ei% $e"uties an$ assistants )it! %es"ect to !ol$ing of multi"le offices o% em"loment in t!e go&e%nment $u%ing t!ei% tenu%e# t!e e3ce"tion to t!is "%o!i(ition must (e %ea$ )it! e4ual se&e%it' On its face t!e language of sec'7 is "%o!i(ito% so t!at it must (e un$e%stoo$ as to (e "ositi&e an$ une4ui&ocal negation of !ol$ing multi"le go&e%nment offices o% em"loment' Ve%il# )!ene&e% t!e language use$ in t!e constitution is "%o!i(ito%# it is to (e un$e%stoo$ as inten$e$ to (e "ositi&e an$ une4ui&ocal negation' T!e te%m ;unless ot!e%)ise "%o&i$e$ in t!is Constitution< must (e gi&en a lite%al inte%"%etation to %efe% onl to t!ose "a%ticula% instances cite$ in t!e Constitution itself' GUIDELINES9 7' Intention un$e%ling t!e "%o&ision un$e% consi$e%ation' =' Not one "%o&ision of t!e Constitution s!oul$ (e se"a%ate$ f%om all t!e ot!e%s' -T!e Cou%t must

' ' A%e Constitutional 0%o&isions Self E3ecuting  A constitutional "%o&ision is self+e3ecuting if /anila 0%ince Hotel t!e natu%e an$ e3tent o% t!e %ig!t confe%%e$ &s' GSIS an$ t!e lia(ilit im"ose$ a%e fi3e$ ( t!e constitution itself# so t!at t!e can (e $ete%mine$ ( an e3amination an$ const%uction of its te%ms# an$ t!e%e is no language in$icating t!at t!e su(2ect is %efe%%e$ to t!e legislatu%e fo% action'

>' T!%ee /a3ims of Constitutional Const%uction Ve%(a Legis, 6!ene&e% "ossi(le# t!e )o%$s F%ancisco .%' &s' use$ in t!e Constitution must (e gi&en t!ei% House of Re"M o%$ina% meaning e3ce"t )!en tec!nical Nagmamalasa*it te%ms a%e em"loe$' na mga J 6e loo* to t!e language of t!e $ocument /anananggol ng itself in ou% sea%c! fo% its meaning' 6e $o mga not# of cou%se# sto" t!e%e# (ut t!at is )!e%e /anggaga)ang )e (egin' It is to (e assume$ t!at t!e )o%$s 0ili"ino# Inc' in )!ic! constitutional "%o&isions a%e couc!e$ e3"%ess t!e o(2ecti&e soug!t to (e attaine$' T!e a%e to (e gi&en t!ei% o%$ina% meaning e3ce"t )!e%e tec!nical te%ms a%e em"loe$ in )!ic! case t!e significance t!us attac!e$ to t!em "%e&ails'-.'/'Tuason1 T!e )o%$s of t!e Constitution s!oul$ (e inte%"%ete$ in acco%$ance )it! t!e intent of t!e f%ame%s+%atio legis est anima+ t!e o(2ect is to asce%tain )!ic! in$uce$ t!e f%ame%s of t!e Constitution to enact t!e "a%ticula% "%o&ision an$ t!e "u%"ose soug!t to (e accom"lis!e$ t!e%e(# in o%$e% to const%ue t!e )!ole as to ma*e t!e )o%$s consonant to t!e %eason an$ calculate$ to effect t!at "u%"ose+ -Ci&il Li(e%ties1 T!e Constitution is to (e inte%"%ete$ as a )!ole  Ut magis &aleat 4uam "e%eat'

!a%moni@e t!em1 Const%ue t!e constitution f%om )!at a""ea%s on its face'

HELD9 A$mitte$l# some constitutions a%e me%e $ecla%ations of  "olicies an$ "%inci"les' T!ei% "%o&isions comman$ t!e legislatu%e to enact la)s an$ ca%% out t!e "u%"oses of t!e f%ame%s )!o me%el esta(lis! an outline of go&e%nment "%o&i$ing fo% t!e $iffe%ent $e"a%tments of t!e go&e%nmental mac!ine% an$ secu%ing ce%tain fun$amental an$ inaliena(le %ig!ts of citi@ens' A "%o&ision )!ic! las $o)n a gene%al "%inci"le# suc! as t!ose foun$ in A%t'II of t!e 7 Constitution# is usuall not self+e3ecuting' But a "%o&ision )!ic! is com"lete in itself an$ (ecomes o"e%ati&e )it!out ena(ling legislation# o% t!at )!ic! su""lies sufficient %ule ( means of )!ic! t!e %ig!t it g%ants ma (e en2oe$ o% "%otecte$# is self e3ecuting' T!us# 5555  As against constitutions of t!e "ast# mo$e%n constitutions !a&e (een gene%all $%afte$ u"on a $iffe%ent "%inci"le an$ !a&e often (ecome in effect e3tensi&e co$es of la)s inten$e$ to o"e%ate $i%ectl u"on t!e "eo"le in a manne% simila% to t!at of statuto% enactments# an$ t!e function of constitutional con&entions !a&e e&ol&e$ into li*e t!at of legislati&e (o$' Hence# unless it is e3"%essl "%o&i$e$ t!at a legislati&e act is e3"%essl necessa% to enfo%ce a constitutional man$ate# t!e 0RESU/0TION no) is t!at all constitutional "%o&isions a%e SELF+E5ECUTING' If t!e constitutional "%o&isions a%e t%eate$ as %e4ui%ing legislation instea$ of self e3ecuting# t!e legislatu%e )oul$ !a&e t!e "o)e% to igno%e an$ "%acticall nullif t!e man$ate of t!e fun$amental la)' T!is can (e cataclsmic' T!at is )! t!e "%e&ailing &ie) is# as it !as al)as (een# t!at  533 in case of $ou(t# t!e Constitution s!oul$ (e consi$e%e$ as self+e3ecuting %at!e% t!an non+self+e3ecuting333 unless t!e cont%a% is clea%l inten$e$# t!e "%o&isions of t!e Constitution s!oul$ consi$e%e$ self+e3ecuting# as a cont%a% %ule )oul$ gi&e t!e legislatu%e $isc%etion to $ete%mine )!en# o% )!et!e%# t!e s!all (e effecti&e' T!ese "%o&isions )oul$ (e su(o%$inate$ to t!e )ill of t!e la)ma*ing (o$# )!ic! coul$ enti%el ma*e t!em meaningless ( sim"l %efusing to "ass t!e nee$e$ im"lementing statute' -C%u@1 No im"eac!ment "%ocee$ings s!all (e initiate$ against t!e same official mo%e t!an once )it!in a "e%io$ of one ea%' .une =# =:: ( E%a" $ismisse$ insufficient in su(stance Octo(e% =# =:: ( Teo$o%o et al 7'

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T!e $a t!e Committee on .ustice fin$s t!at t!e &e%ifie$ com"laint an$Mo% %esolution against suc! official# as t!e case ma (e# is sufficient in su(stance, T!e $ate t!e House &otes to o&e%tu%n o% affi%m t!e fin$ing of t!e sai$ committee t!at t!e &e%ifie$ com"laint an$Mo% %esolution# as t!e case ma (e# is not sufficient in su(stance, o%  T!e time of t!e filing of suc! &e%ifie$ com"laint o% %esolution of im"eac!ment )it! t!e Sec Gen'

Hel$9 Sec 7 an$ 7 of Rules Go&e%ning t!e Im"eac!ment a%e unconstitutional' =n$ Im"eac!ment com"laint is (a%%e$'

-C!iong(ian &s' De Leon1 J 6!en t!e a$o"te$ su(section =# t!e "e%mitte$# if not )ille$# t!at sai$ "%o&ision s!oul$ function to t!e full e3tent of its su(stance an$ its te%ms# not itself alone# (ut in con2unction )it! all ot!e% "%o&isions of t!e g%eat $ocument If t!e "lain meaning of t!e )o%$ is not foun$ to (e clea%# %eso%t to ot!e% ai$s is a&aila(le' T!e "%o"e% inte%"%etation of a constitutional "%o&ision $e"en$s mo%e on !o) it )as un$e%stoo$ ( t!e "eo"le a$o"ting it t!an t!e f%ame%s un$e%stan$ing t!e%eof'