Reading guide: Construction of Words and Phrases

Must read: Highlighted cases

Shall.
Diokno v. Rehabilitation Finance Corp., G.R. No. L-4712, July 11, 1952, citing People v. O’Rourke, 13 P.
2d. 989,992, 124 Cal. App. 752. (39 Words and Phrases, Permanent Ed., p. 90.)
Diokno v. Rehabilitation Finance Corp., G.R. No. L-4712, July 11, 1952, citing Haythorn v. Van Keuren & Son,
74 A. 502, 504, 79 N.J.L. 101; Board of Finance of School City of Aurora v. People’s Nat. Bank of Lawrenceburg, 89 N.E.
904, 905 44 Ind. App. 578. (39 Words and Phrases, Permanent Ed., p. 93.)

Exception.
Diokno v. Rehabilitation Finance Corp., G.R. No. L-4712, July 11, 1952
Diokno v. Rehabilitation Finance Corp., G.R. No. L-4712, July 11, 1952, citing Town of Milton v. Cook,
138 N.E. 589, 590, 244 Mass. 93. (39 Words and Phrases, Permanent Ed., p. 89.)
Diokno v. Rehabilitation Finance Corp., G.R. No. L-4712, July 11, 1952, citing Grimsrud v. Johnson,
202 N.W. 72, 73, 162 Minn. 181
Diokno v. Rehabilitation Finance Corp., G.R. No. L-4712, July 11, 1952, citing Town of Milton v. Cook,
138 N.E. 589, 590, 244 Mass. 93. (39 Words and Phrases, Permanent Ed., p. 89.)
Diokno v. Rehabilitation Finance Corp., G.R. No. L-4712, July 11, 1952, citing National Transit Corp.
Co. v. Boardman, 197 A. 239, 241, 328, Pa. 450.
Diokno v. Rehabilitation Finance Corp., G.R. No. L-4712, July 11, 1952, citing City of
Colorado v. Street, 254 p. 440, 441, 81 Colo. 181
Sec. 2, R.A. 302, cited in Diokno v. Rehabilitation Finance Corp., G.R. No. L-4712, July 11, 1952
Diokno v. Rehabilitation Finance Corp., G.R. No. L-4712, July 11, 1952
Webster’s International Dictionary, cited in Diokno v. Rehabilitation Finance Corp., G.R. No. L-4712,
July 11, 1952
Diokno v. Rehabilitation Finance Corp., G.R. No. L-4712, July 11, 1952, citing In re O’Hara, 82,
N.Y.S. 293, 296, 40 Misc. 355, citing In re Thurber’s Estate, 162 N.Y. 244, 252, 56 N.E. 638, 639. (39 Words
and Phrases, Permanent Ed., p. 92.)
Diokno v. Rehabilitation Finance Corp., G.R. No. L-4712, July 11, 1952, citing Fields v. U.S. 27 App.
D.C. 433, 440. (39 Words and Phrases, Permanent Ed., p. 89, 92.)
Diokno v. Rehabilitation Finance Corp., G.R. No. L-4712, July 11, 1952, citing Sheldon v. Sheldon,
134 A. 904, 905, 100 N.J. Ex. 24
Diokno v. Rehabilitation Finance Corp., G.R. No. L-4712, July 11, 1952, citing People v. O’Rourke, 13
P. 2d. 989,992, 124 Cal. App. 752. (39 Words and Phrases, Permanent Ed., p. 90.)
Sec. 5, Art. XIV, 1987 Constitution, cited in Guingona v. Carague, G.R. No. 94571, Apr. 22, 1991
Guingona v. Carague, G.R. No. 94571, Apr. 22, 1991

Shall and may, distinguished.

Capati v. Ocampo, G.R. No. L-28742, Apr. 30, 1982, cited in CSC v. Unda, G.R. No. 213237, Sept. 13, 2017
Filipino v. Macabuhay, G.R. No. 158960, Nov. 24, 2006, cited in Ombudsman v. Andutan, G.R. No. 164679,
July 27, 2011
Sec. 20(5), R.A. 6770, cited in Ombudsman v. Andutan, G.R. No. 164679, July 27, 2011
Melchor v. Gironella, G.R. No. 151138, Feb. 16, 2005, cited in Ombudsman v. Andutan, G.R. No. 164679, July
27, 2011

May not.
Filipino v. Macabuhay, G.R. No. 158960, Nov. 24, 2006, cited in Ombudsman v. Andutan, G.R. No.
164679, July 27, 2011

No or not.
McGee v. Republic, 94 Phil. 820 (1954), cited in Lokin v. Comelec, G.R. Nos. 179431-32, June 22,
2010
Sec. 8, R.A. 7941, cited in Lokin v. Comelec, G.R. Nos. 179431-32, June 22, 2010
Lokin v. Comelec, G.R. Nos. 179431-32, June 22, 2010

Special or technical meaning.

Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, Reprinted 1980, p. 85, citing State v. Bolsinger, 21 N.W., 2d., p.
480
Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, Reprinted 1980, p. 85, citing Katzman v. Comms., 130 S.W., p. 990
The Asiatic Petroleum Co. (Ltd.) v. The Insular Collector of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. L-12687, Aug. 27, 1918
Sec. 17(72a), Act No. 2432, cited in The Asiatic Petroleum Co. (Ltd.) v. The Insular Collector of Internal
Revenue, G.R. No. L-12687, Aug. 27, 1918
The Asiatic Petroleum Co. (Ltd.) v. The Insular Collector of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. L-12687, Aug. 27, 1918
Art. 1450, Civil Code, cited in The Asiatic Petroleum Co. (Ltd.) v. The Insular Collector of Internal Revenue,
G.R. No. L-12687, Aug. 27, 1918
The Asiatic Petroleum Co. (Ltd.) v. The Insular Collector of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. L-12687, Aug. 27, 1918

Exception.
Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, Reprinted 1980, p. 85, citing City of St. Louis v. Triangle
Fuel Co., 193 S.W. 2nd. 914

And.
Rollo, pp. 57-58, citing Statutory Construction by Noli C. Diaz, Microsoft v. Manansala, G.R. No. 166391, Oct.
21, 2015
Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th ed., reprinted 1980, p. 88, citing Pombano Horse Club v. State, 52 A.L.R.,
51
Agpalo, Statutory Construction, 2009 Ed., p. 301
Rumarate v. Hernandez, 489 SCRA 317 (2006), cited in Agpalo, Statutory Construction, 2009 Ed., p. 301

Or.
Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th ed., reprinted 1980, p. 88, citing Pombano Horse Club v. State, 52 A.L.R.,
51
 2

Vargas v. Cajucom, 761 Phil. 43, 61 (2015), cited in City of Cagayan de Oro v. Cepalco, G.R. No. 224825, Oct.
17, 2018
Sec. 5.2.a., R.A. No. 9006, cited in SWS & Pulse Asia, Inc. v Comelec, G.R. No. 208062, Apr. 7, 2015
SWS & Pulse Asia, Inc. v Comelec, G.R. No. 208062, April 7, 2015
SWS & Pulse Asia, Inc. v Comelec, G.R. No. 208062, April 7, 2015, citing Saludaga v. Sandiganbayan, 633 Phil.
369 (2010), [Per J. Mendoza, Third Division]

And and or, distinguished.

Agpalo, Statutory Construction, 4th Edition, 1998, p. 203, cited in Microsoft v. Manansala, G.R. No. 166391,
Oct. 21, 2015
Agpalo, Statutory Construction, 4th Edition, 1998, p. 201, cited in Microsoft v. Manansala, G.R. No. 166391,
Oct. 21, 2015

Exceptions.
Vargas v. Cajucom, 761 Phil. 43, 61 (2015), cited in City of Cagayan de Oro v. Cepalco, G.R. No.
224825, Oct. 17, 2018
City of Cagayan de Oro v. Cepalco, G.R. No. 224825, Oct. 17, 2018
Gonzales v. GJH Land, Inc., 772 Phil. 483 (2015), cited in City of Cagayan de Oro v. Cepalco, G.R.
No. 224825, Oct. 17, 2018
Gonzales v. GJH Land, Inc., 772 Phil. 507 (2015), cited in City of Cagayan de Oro v. Cepalco, G.R.
No. 224825, Oct. 17, 2018
Sec. 187, Local Government Code of 1991, cited in City of Cagayan de Oro v. Cepalco, G.R. No.
224825, Oct. 17, 2018
Philippine Airlines, Inc. v. Edu, 247 Phil. 283, 293 (1988), cited in City of Cagayan de Oro v. Cepalco,
G.R. No. 224825, Oct. 17, 2018
Agpalo, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, 2009, p. 299, citing Gonzales v. Comelec, G.R. No.
Trinidad v. Bermudez, G.R. No. 25223, May 19, 1971, citing Sec. 2, Rule 112, Rules of Court, cited in
Agpalo, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, 2009, p. 299
Trinidad v. Bermudez, G.R. No. 25223, May 19, 1971, cited in Agpalo, Statutory Construction, 6th
Edition, 2009, p. 299
U.S. v. De la Sabta, 9 Phil. 22 (1907), citing Art. 344, Revised Penal Code, cited in Agpalo, Statutory
Construction, 6th Edition, 2009, p. 300
U.S. v. De la Sabta, 9 Phil. 22 (1907), cited in Agpalo, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, 2009, p.
300
Agpalo, Statutory Construction, 4th Edition, p. 203, cited in Microsoft v. Manansala, G.R. No. 166391,
Oct. 21, 2015
Sec. 5(A), P.D. No. 49, cited in Microsoft v. Manansala, G.R. No. 166391, Oct. 21, 2015
Microsoft v. Manansala, G.R. No. 166391, Oct. 21, 2015

All, any, every.

Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, reprinted 1980, p. 90, citing 50 Am. Jur. p. 269
Logan v. Small, 43 Mo. 254; McMurray v. Brown, 91 U.S. 265, 23 L. Ed. 321; Vol. 1, Bouvier’s Law Dictionary,
p. 205; C.J.S. Vol. 3, pp. 1400-1401, cited in Gatchalian v. Comelec, G.R. Nos. L-32560-61, Oct. 22, 1970
Art. VII, Sec. 4, 2nd sentence, 1987 Constitution
p. 743, The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines: A Commentary, 1996 Edition, by Bernas, S.J.
Sec. 56, Revised Election Code, cited in Gatchalian v. Comelec, G.R. Nos. L-32560-61, Oct. 22, 1970
Gatchalian v. Comelec, G.R. Nos. L-32560-61, Oct. 22, 1970
Sharkey v. State, 33 Miss. 353-354; 29 C.J.S. 13, cited in Gatchalian v. Comelec, G.R. Nos. L-32560-61, Oct.
22, 1970
Janson v. Grandfort County, 113 N.W. 1071, 1073 16 N.D. 16363, 125 Am. State Ref. 662; Vol. 3 A, Words
and Phrases, pp. 18-119, cited in Gatchalian v. Comelec, G.R. Nos. L-32560-61, Oct. 22, 1970

Etcetera.
Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, reprinted 1980, p. 90, citing 1 Am. Jur. p. 120

Grammar.
Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, p. 90, citing U.S. Petroleum Country, 17 P. 2d., p. 60
Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, p. 90, citing State Ex. Rel. Sullivan v. Burns, 77 P. 2nd., p. 215
Tatel v. Municipality of Virac, G.R. No. 40243, Mar. 11, 1992
Ordinance No. 13, Municipal Council of Virac, Dec. 29, 1952, cited in Tatel v. Municipality of Virac, G.R. No.
40243, Mar. 11, 1992
Sec. 1, Ordinance No. 13, Municipal Council of Virac, Dec. 29, 1952, cited in Tatel v. Municipality of Virac, G.R.
No. 40243, Mar. 11, 1992
Sec. 2, Ordinance No. 13, Municipal Council of Virac, Dec. 29, 1952, cited in Tatel v. Municipality of Virac, G.R.
No. 40243, Mar. 11, 1992
Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, p. 90, citing Union Refrigerator Transit v. Lynch 55 P., p. 699

Punctuation.
Sec. 40(a), Local Gov’t. Code of 1991, cited in Moreno v. Comelec, G.R. No. 168550, Aug. 10, 2006
Moreno v. Comelec, G.R. No. 168550, Aug. 10, 2006, citing Sec. 40(a), Local Government
Code of 1991

Tense.
Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, p. 91, citing Rutherford v. Greene, 4 L. ed., p. 218

Gender.
Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, p. 90, citing Silver v. Ladd., 19 L. ed. P. 138

Number.
Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, p. 90, citing Heidenreich, 98 N.E., p. 567
State v. Carlino, 118 A, 784, 786; Vol. 3 A, Words and Phrases, p. 174, Gatchalian v. Comelec, 146
Phil. 435, 442-443 (1970)
Bellknab v. Ionia County, 54 N.W. 376 Vol. 3 A, Words and Phrases, p. 93, cited in Gatchalian v.
Comelec, 146 Phil. 435, 442-443 (1970)
Art. VIII, Sec. 8(1), 1987 Constitution, cited in Chavez v. JBC, et al., G.R. No. 202242, Apr. 16, 2013
 3

Chavez v. JBC, et al., G.R. No. 202242, Apr. 16, 2013

Inaccuracies, inadvertence or clerical errors.

Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th ed., reprinted 1980, p. 62, citing Case v. Olso, 14 N.W. 2d., p. 717
Agpalo, Statutory Construction, 2009 Ed., p. 231, citing Cartwrite v. Cartwrite, 40 A2d 30, 155 ALR 1088
(1944), cited in Chavez v. JBC, et al., G.R. No. 202242, Apr. 16, 2013
Agpalo, Statutory Construction, 2009 Ed., p. 232, citing Cartwrite v. Cartwrite, 40 A2d 30, 155 ALR 1088
(1944), cited in Chavez v. JBC, et al., G.R. No. 202242, Apr. 16, 2013

Foreign language.
Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, reprinted 1980, p. 94, citing 82 C.J.S., p. 681
Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, reprinted 1980, p. 94, citing Doughlass v. Lewis, 131 U.S., p. 75
Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, reprinted 1980, p. 94, citing U.S. v. Quintanar, 16 Phil. 504
Martin, Statutory Construction, 6th Edition, reprinted 1980, p. 94, citing People v. Manaba, 58 Phil. 668