Introduction

to Law
DEFINITION AND NATURE
KINDS
SUBJECTS OF LAW
CHARACTERISTICS
Definition of Law
❑Any rule of action or any system of uniformity
❑Enactments of Legislative Branch of
Government
Legislative Branch of Government
❑Congress
(Senate and House of Representatives)
❑Provincial Board Members
(Bokal/Sangguniang Panlalawigan)
Legislative Branch of Government
❑City/Municipal Councilors
(Sangguniang Panlungsod o Sangguniang
Bayan)
❑Sangguniang Barangay / Kagawad
Nature of Law
❑General or Abstract Sense – morals based on
reason
❑Specific or Concrete Sense – rule of conduct by
authority for common observance and benefit
Subjects of Law
➢Divine Law – religion and faith
➢Natural Law – sense of justice and fairness
➢Moral Law – norms of good and right conduct
➢Physical Law – laws of science
➢State Law – enforced by the government
Characteristics
1. Rule of conduct
2. Obligatory
3. Promulgated by legitimate authority
4. Common observance and benefit
Kinds of Law; As to purpose
1. Substantive Law – creates, defines, and
regulates rights and duties
2. Adjective/Remedial Law – provides the method
of aiding and protecting certain rights
Kinds of Law; As to scope
1. General or Public Law – applies to all people of
the state or of a particular class (e.g. Criminal
Law, International Law, and Political Law)
2. Special or Private Law – applies to a particular
person (e.g. Civil Law, Maritime Law, and
Mercantile Law)
Kinds of Law; As to Effectivity
1. Prospective Law – applicable after its
enactment
2. Restrospective/Retroactive Law – applies
prior to its enactment
Other Kinds of Law
1. Curative Laws – correct mistakes or
irregularities
2. Penal Laws – defines crimes and imposes
penalties. e.g. Revised Penal Code.
 How a Bill becomes a Law
The bill is read in plenary and Approved bill in plenary; Other house
referred to the appropriate shall pass the same bill and both
committee bills consolidated to become enrolled

FIRST READING SECOND READING THIRD READING SIGNING INTO LAW

FILING The enrolled bill will be forwarded to

Sponsorship, Interpellation, and
By amendments (either committee or the President for signing; or if not
Legislator individual amendments) signed, it will lapse into law after 30
days.
How a Bill becomes a Law
How does the President disapprove a legislative measure?
• VETO / Presidential Veto – Through a veto message (partial or
total)
• Congress may override a veto by 2/3 vote of all the members of
Congress
SOURCES OF LAW
Where can we find laws?
SOURCES OF LAW

• The Philippine Constitution – fundamental law of

the land, to which all other laws must conform
• Statutes or legislative enactments – written will of
the legislative department prescribing rules of
action or conduct
 SOURCES OF LAW

• Administrative or executive orders, regulations, and rulings

– issued by administrative officials under legislative
authority
• Judicial decisions or jurisprudence – decisions of the
Supreme Court in interpreting the laws or the
Constitution
SOURCES OF LAW

• Custom – rule of conduct in a given place and

among given groups of people, followed for an
appreciable time.
• Other sources – these refer to decision of foreign
tribunals and opinions of textbook writers.
What would life be without law?
❖No internal order
❖No societal stability
❖No institutions for external defense
What does law do?
❖Secures justice
❖Resolves social conflict
❖Orders society
❖Protects interests
❖Controls social relations
What is our duty as members of
society?
✓Since we find law necessary, every citizen
should have some understanding of law and
observe it for common good. (De Leon and De
Leon, 2014)
 Thank you!
Questions? Clarifications?
Roulette
time!
Class Assessment on the
Lecture/Discussion