CHAPTER a] HISTORICALOVERVIEW ‘The Philippines, an archipelago of 7,107 islands (abut 2,000 of which ae inhabited), witha land area of 115,600 sqm, as = population of 93.9 million Some 87 major dialects are spoken al ‘ver the islands. Englishan Filipino are the oficial languages with [English sthelanguage of instruction in higher edueation. According tothe 2010 census the unetiona teray rates 84% Agriculture constitutes the lrpest singe sector ofthe economy. The country hasa total labor force of 78.8%. ‘The Philippine legal sytem is aptly described asa blend of customary usage, and Roman (civil iss) nd Anglo-Americar {common law) systems. The civil law operates in areas such as, family relations, property, sueession, contrat and criminal law ‘while statutes and principles of common law origin are evident in such areas as constitutional Iaw, procedure, corporation law, ‘negotiable instruments tation, insurance labor relations, tanking land curreney, In some Southem pars ofthe islands, Islamic law is ‘observed “This particular egal systomsthe result of the immigration of Muslim Malays in the fourteenth century and the subsequent coloniation of the islands by Spain an the Unite Sates.2 Philippine Legal system Histowicat Baexcrouno Philp leathisory maybe caeoried acconting athe ‘is printer fthagouny” pre Spnea Ped p12 he Spnshreine (221-188) Pllonce epic of 1D he Amerennrepine (OE 939 he ene (193550) spares cept (38 19th te Per of We Repl (9461 979 the Mar a Period (19721986; an hcontnuatn ote Repo Pe-Seavisn Pesion isorans hae shown conhsvely that th ex Flipnos "vein numerous independ crannies ale berengot nde various mtv les which wr gly eusomary and arwrten, Enc ois theexsanceof wo codes uel he Martie Codeisiedy Dat Sune Panay lend some tae ets 1200 and 1212 A.D. an the Peal Cod of Kalani noes 2 atu ofthat same in 3. However there ar some Nanos who questo he existence of tess codes veal tary ve dnt with ajc sc aily lation, inertness, prneshp, an Highs, ater and sal an rine and pnishnet The Pena a iningishe between fois tod mlsdoneanor epi Sisinstionberwee pip and sccomple in mates fein Ibi and hadan eof te exience of ulisingend matting circumstances, as wll as residivism a5 ay aggraveing Sioumstance’ ke any ancien soci by ordeal vas acticin the barony. ‘Tur Seas Recier ‘The arival of Ferdinand Magellan inthe Philippines on 16 “March 1521 presaged« new ea in the history of Philippine law, “pesca MG Pape Pa 4 (4 1973). “ Historical Overview 3 Spanish laws and codes were extended tothe Philippines either expressly by royal derees or by implication trough the issuance of special Inws for the islands. The most prominent of these laws and codes were the Fuero Juzgo, Fuero Real, Las Siete Partidas, Las Leyes de Toros, Nueva Recopllacion de ‘Las Leyes de Indias, which contained llth laws then in fore in the Spanish colonies and the Novisima Recopilacion, which ‘comprise all the laws fom the fifteesth century upto 1805 ° [At the end of Spanish rule in the Philippines, the folowing, ‘codes and speval las were in free inthe country: the Codigo Penal cde 1870 which was extended tothe islands in 887; he Ley Provisional para la Aplicaciones de las Disposiciones del Codigo Penal en fas Islas Filipinas in 1888; the Ley de Enjuiciamiento Criminal (Code of Criminal Procedure of 1872, ‘hich was extended in 1888); Ley de Enuictamieno Civil (Code ‘of Civil Procedure of 1856}, Codigo de Comercio (Code of | Commerce of 1886); Codigo Civil de 1889 (except the portion relating to marriage), the Marriage Law of 1870; the Ley “iporecaria Mortgage Lav of 1861, which was extended in 1889), the Ley de Minas (Mining Law of 1859); the Ley Novia de 1862; the Railway Law of 1877; the Law of Foreigners for UUlwamarine Provinces of 1870; andthe Code of Milt Justice * ‘Tue Prnurrive Repunuic oF 1898 ‘By 1872, the Filipinos had revolted against Spain because of. the abuses committed by the Spanish authorities and ars. The revolution spread so rapidly that on 12June 1898, theindependence ‘ofthe Philippines was proclaimed by General Emilio Aguinaldo. A, ‘evolutionary Congress was convened on 15 September 1898, and (9820 January 1899, the Malolos Constitution was approved > This Constitution proclaimed popular sovereignty and enumerated the Fundamental civil and politica rights ofthe individual At the time M4 Gatos, At anon ra Fn La 69-70 (Th 1989 "Toca, Matos Ti Cass 18 Renae 305 (1960)4 Philippine Legal System ofits proclamation, the Republic exercised, albeit briefly, de facto ‘shor lion hs came to an end up the coming ofthe ‘Tur Avmaicay Ena aso rie Conmonweatrt ‘The end of the Spanish-American War, which was followed by the signing ofthe Treaty of Paris on 10 December 1898, paved the way forthe cession of the Philippines to the United States Upon te establishment of American sovereignty, the political laws ofthe Philippines were totally abrogated and Spanish avs, customs and rights of property inconsistent with the US Constitution and with American prinsples and institutions were superseded. The government operated under different organic laws, namely President MacKinley's Instructions to the Second Philippine ‘Commission on 7 Apri 1900; the Spooner Amendment of 1901; the Philippine Bill of 1902; the Jones Law of 1916 and the Tydings- “MacDuffie Law of 1934 Pursuant othe Tyings-MacDuil Law, 8 Commonwealth government was to be established for a transitional period of ten years before independence could be ranted, Likewise, it granted othe Filipinos a right to formulate thei own Constitution. In due course, a Constitution was approved ‘on 8 February 1935 which was signed by US President Franklin D Roosevelt on 23 March 1935 and ratified atapebiseitheldon 1 ‘May 1935. Votes went tothe polls toclectthe first setof executive and legislative officals led by President Manuel L. Quezon and ‘Viee President Sergio Osmeni, ‘Tae Jaravest Occunarion (On 08 December 1941, the Philippines was invaded by Japanese forces and was oceupied until 1944, During the three year miltary rte, a 1943 Constitution was drafted an ratified by Special national convention of the Kapizanan sa Paglilingkod ng Bagong Pilipinas (KALIBAPI), which led othe establishment {¥.Sneco, Pune Pane Law 8 (Ie, 1960), "T Aconc & [Link] op. et te a 16 Historical Overview 5 ofthe short-lived Japanese sponsored republic headed by President dose P. Laurel During the Japanese occupation, the Commonwealth, tenn ‘exile, fnctoned in Washington DC. fror 13 May 194210 3 October 1944 units reestablishment in Manila on 28 Februny 1945 by President Sergio Osme ‘Tue Pasurene Revumic, 1946-1972 ‘The inauguration ofthe Philippine Republic on 4 July 1946 ‘marked te culmination ofthe Filipinos’ 300 years of struggle for freedom. The 1935 Constitution served athe fundamental law ‘withthe exccutive power being vested inthe Pesient, the eilative ower i th bicameral Congres of the Philippines andthe judicial over inthe Supreme Court and inferior cours established by law. nthe beginning, efforts ofthe government were goared towards economic rehabilitation and te preservation of peace and ‘order Due tthe widespread agitation Tor reforms in the lgal and politieal arenas, Congress adopted Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.2, asamended by RBHNo. 4, calling for Constitutional ‘Convention to propeseamendmensto the Constitionon 6 March 1967. Th esalution was implemented by Republic Act No. 6132, and approved on 24 August 1970, Pursuant 9 is provisions, the election of 320 delegates was held on 10 November 1970, ‘The Constiitionl Convention meton | June 1971 andittook its members 17 month to drat a new Constitution, While the ‘Convention wasn session, President Ferdinand E, Marcos, acting in accordance with the provisions ofthe 1938 Constitution, placed ‘the entire Philippines under Martial Law On 29 November 1972, ‘the Constitutional Convention completed its work. The drat of the new Constitution was submited to the Filipino people trough citizens assemblies” and was ratified on 17 January 1973.° ‘Pr No- OB} = 1972, 66 0.1624 (Spl. 1972) Cheney Pre ese Ne, 86 (1972), 68 0.6 27 (an 1979), ‘proc Ne 1103 = 197, 69 04 $92 Uns 1973) The vali f tis rectanon ws esoned i ie ptons ae feed on oe nective Setanta GR Nox 3616-65, 36162, 36236, S623, arché Philippine Legal system Proclamation No. 1104" wasissued onthe same day declaring the «continuation of marti law ‘Twe Marrs Lay Peto ‘The 1973 Constitution established a partiamentary form of government and introduced the merger of executive and legislative powers. The Chief Executive the Prime Minister, was elected by | majority ofall the members ofthe National Assembly from amongst themselves"? and could be dismissed by electing + ‘suceessor Prime Minister.” Onthe other hand, the Prime Minister ‘nad the power to advise the President to dissolve the National ‘Assembly and call for «general eletion." The President was reed to being a symbolic head of state This parliamentary form of government was never plemented. The Transitary Provision othe 1973 Constitution, hich provided for a transition fram the old presidential form of government to 2 parliamentary system, specifieally made the Proclamation, derees and ats of the incumbent Present part ot ‘the law ofthe land anda the same time empowered the President to intially convene the interim National Assembly which was ‘ever effected” By amendments tothe Constitution in Octber 31, 1973, wes he Spr Cour ss he tts tinted {BS dips pion ta “hrm fare dca bce te New (Costin tel conse in ond "690.6 923 an, 191), Cons (97a Ke 3. ‘cov (1978) a Vlas 1). ear (57 paver etloentond socal ees, "Core. 197) at XVI se 3.) The aly af te Peet's fo anvene the Inert National Assembly and ts power e prs Powaatons, oes nd deren dg te Marl Lv Psod wee ome of the nts red In Aino, ev Commision on leone GR No. 10K, asa 21, 197562 SCRA75 (979 Te Sopa Cou armed hepone Preset fo ite dere rds nd tl tae New Conon Historical Overview 7 however the powers ofthe incumbent President were ined and augmented and an Interim Bateson Pamansa (interim lepsiature) was created, baving the same powers as 2 ‘regular legislative body. In Amendment No.3, the powers ofthe President and Prime Minister were merged inthe then incumbert President (Ferdinand E Marcos), who immediately became « member of the Interim Batasang Pambansa. Because ofthese ‘Amendments, he oecupied the postions President and Prime ‘Minister, which aangement was toast only during the ransition peti of until the members of the regular legislature ‘shall have ben elected’. Under Amendment No.6, the President was also ‘empowered to continue to exercise legislative powers until martial Taw shall have boon lifted”, in his judament, “thee exists grave ‘emergency ote orimminence there, ot whenever theater + aasang Pambansa ot the regular National Assembly fails o 5 tunable to act adequately on any mater for any reason that nis judgment quires immediate action, he may inorder to meet the teigency, issue the necessary decrees, orders or letters of instructions which shall form pat ofthe law ofthe land” Likewise, Amendment No. 7 stipulated the continuance of ‘the barangays (smallest political subdivision) and sanggunians (councils) and the ue of referenda to ascertain the will of the people separding important matters, whether of national o local ‘On 7 April 1978, 160 regional representatives apportioned among the 13 regions ofthe country were elected the Interim ‘Batasong Pambansa while 14 members representing the youth, ‘agriculture, labor and industrial labor sectors were chosen on 27 [preteen te Scena when convent fare Nao Orocahe 1617, the peopl na Reftendum Pine, ried ‘Amensn oe 1973 Constton whieh ook eft on ober 27. 176, {iter rc Ne 1598 (1979, 760.6 4085 Ge 1980, wipe aly of Amendment No.6 ws gusiond ad sualed by te Supe Con in Loup « Monier of Fe, GR. No E89, ly 4 19H, 18 SCRAMIBCISED),8 Philippine Legal System Aoi 1978 The ern Beans Pambansa cnsered on ‘ane 197 wi al ment 182 vee 13 Conon essen ent n an Be sett) ameie i980 The 1980 Anninens instead te retenet age of Sunzone Cott gad tcns fom sa fovea Amonaments ineicet « modoes oer of eden Damen yc Te Pesan, hows wee rae tach oct of te Reps wos ae sone bul stemofoh yes Te mse inches wet seedy» njerty ot he Roane nen Domination of the Pasa ews cele eae selpenn ca nies whee he ss pone te Bang Pana te sie ‘ofthe government pprovelby the resient The Bosvorcoaa ‘ithe confans fam he Prine Minton Cosa poplar vobateimer aera ‘int Pern pee ete Tee snconhe Come igual eae a ofthe Prine Minsteras hinmanandactmaths eon at least half of whom were raembers of the Batasang Pambansa.” Iwas charge wih eng he Praer eeee power ad tnt an ie portrmanes eres he hurt Anendnen cuteseconpation es Famke e guienon of ts moors Nek ee en tad sting spt efecto Sean Xe whe erctrment ao settembre sens Cosn sedges nti eta changa nese yearns wa rated naicictenod on aon 3,198 teed ec "Tittle on Ap. 1981 thre mas anounced in Proc. No, 2077 (1981). sin SCooriimaywevinowse) ‘oer Gar an vite 3 Cone Gora a Bese 1 Seow ie ee Som (inherit 3 Ce (17D a se 3 Historical Overview 9 xin onthe vceeitionof poli aries chang of poli furyalaton ante proven aro tien othe Pritppines who ad ls i Pipi cians cul be 8 tansfre of rv nd freien purposes. Ascoring to ne consti, ahogh he 1973 Constoton cassie hrcmmntal powers into the te area of he eneuive, Estate and jc he seperation powers andi cra tut of nw loon of omer were neler well-fed nor Sty oosered Mat! Law wasted on 17 Janay 198, ‘Sidra obo weresbolised by Proctaration No. 20452 piel elon nase 6 Joe 1981 and Present Mees was agin eset Ini inagure adress 00 ane TOE he procnimed the bith of he Fourth Republic ude the New onstiuton, ssamended. “he ninton former Bei Ain on 21 august 1983,ggered mass demonstrations anda once {sth pve the way to anther et of amenent othe i573 Consitaion” The 1984 Amendments conse ofthe towing (1) the establishment ofa diferent mode of presidential ‘succession withthe cretion ofthe Office ofthe Viee= President and the abolition ofthe Executive Commitee: (2) the apportionment of representation in the Barasang Pambansa by province, city, and by districts in ‘Metropolitan Manila instead ofby region; 3) the grant, san aditional mode forthe acquisition of publi ands, © gh thatthe agrarian reform programme may include the ‘grantor distribution of lienable public lands to qualified tenants famersand other ales citizens; and (8) making “TR Gane Pure Abana Cans Mars i Soe at om, Rel sl on Jay 2,9, nant Bas Bi 13 ([Link].e en eens Ba,10 Philippine Legal system the State undertake an urban land reform and so% using programme forthe homeless, nes, andthe low-income resident citizens Temes etree ae eens ‘Tue Costmuation oF rue Reruniic When Corman. Agsno ok er outhofofc resident 0.25 Feary 198, rslaton No T* yas ies wha Se declared hat sh nr Vise Preside wee aiap ry inthe naman bythe wil a be Hino people en hsb ot fhe clearsoveien ilo he popleerteoedsncelnten ot 20.6 1236 (Mash 3, 1986, Historical Overview nN 107 February 19862" The new government came into power notin sccordance with the procedie outlined in the 1973 Constitation ‘butas explicitly state inthe preamble to Proclamation No.3 whieh stated that the new government was installed through «direst texerese of the power of the Filipina people assisted by units ofthe [New Armed Forces ofthe Philippines’ and that thi ‘heroesetion ‘ofthe people was dane in defiance ofthe provisions ofthe 1973 CConsitton, asamended. The Provisional Constitin,” otherwise ‘knowns the Freedom Constitution, adopted in foto the provisions ‘of Article (National Testor), Article Il (Citizenship), Article 1V (Glo Rights), Article V (Dates and Obligations of Citizens), and “Aiele Vi (Sutfage) othe 1973 Constitution as amended. Other ‘provisions, such as Artele I Declaration of Principles and State Polisis), Article VI (The President, Arile X (The Judiciary), ‘Artile XI (Local Governments, Article XI (The Constitution Commission), Amtile XII (Accountability of Pubic Officers), ‘Aile XIV (The Nasional Esonomy and Ptrimony ofthe Nation), land Anicle XV (General Provisions) were adopted insofar as they ‘werent nconsistent with the provisions ofthe Proslamation, while “Aisles Vil, IX, XVand XVI were deemed tobe supersede. Under the Provisional Commission, all existing laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, letters of instructions and other executive issuances, not inconsistent with this Proclamation, were to rem operative until amenced, modified or repeated by the President or te regular legislative hody tobe established under a new Constitution ® The President continued to exercise legislative power "eleginary ofthe Aun goverment wa uesionen Lae Legue fora Bete Philipines Agno td oer cases GR. Nos. 73745, 7972 & "2900, Nay 23, 186, woe te Supreme Cw mised in soon ‘eae legmey othe Agi goverment sna jase ater hihi plea he ligne wethe jas Aah eaplebae mae be ‘deme Tiny hve epee pve freien Cora Aung ‘kin in etre cna fe sie cous that ie at ee etogovernmen btn ata adore goer ‘Soroumaton No.3 xed Mars, 1986, 82.0.6 1567 (Mach, 18), Seth 1 Cine a ate12 Philippine Legal system Pursuant to Article V of the Provisional Constitution, the Constitational Commission was constituted under Proclamation No, 9” composed of 50 members with the task of drafting ‘Constitution in ‘as short a period as may be consistent wih she ‘eed to hasten the return of normal constitutional government After 133 days of work by a vote of 45 to 2, the proposed new ‘Constitution, consisting ofapremable, 8 articles and 32 sections, ‘was submitted tothe President on 1$ October 1986 i was aifed by the people ia plebiscite held on 2 February 1987, Dy ts very ‘nature, the Provisional Constitution, a8 well asthe revolutionary overnment which operated it, self-destructed upon the atifcation and effectivity ofthe New Constitution since the incumbent President and Viee President elected inthe 7 February L986 cectoral exercise were provided a si-year term of office until June 30, 1992 under the Transitory Provisions” The Congressional elections Were scheduled to be held on 11 May 1987" The incumbent President continued to exercise legislative powers until the fst Congress was setto be convened. Despite several coups, Present ‘Aquino completed her term under the 1987 Constitution, Elections ‘ere held on 11 May 1992, and Fidel V. Ramos was elected Presiden, He was suocecded by Joseph Ejercito Estrada afer the 11 May 1998 elections. In view of the exposé of Governor Lal Singson, the Senate opened the impeachment tral of President Estrada on 20 November 2000, As result ofthe [1-10 voteby the ‘Senator-judges against the opening ofthe second envelope which contained evidence, there was spontaneous outburst of anger that hit the streets wherein public prosecutors withdrew their ‘appearances followed by resignations of other pblic ose from the Cabinet. These actions and “people power held to bis ‘resignation Vice-President Gloria M. Aroyo took her oath as President on 20 January 2001 and was reelected on 11 May 2004, Dale p23, 1986, £2 06 1887 (Api, 186. Poe. No.9, 1986 Ses 3, Cons XV, 5. ‘Esse Order No 134 Febery, 1987, 820.6 788,198, ‘nda Dein, GH Nos 146710134 1ST teh 2 eo, ssascea tape, Historical Overview 13 pea eeniintiaesnaasCHAPTER 3 SOURCES OF LAW statutes, treaties and conventions, and jd Constitution isthe fundamental iw ofthe land andes such its authority ofthe highest order against which no oer authority can prevail, Every official action, tobe valid, must conform to it On| the other hand, statutes ar intended to supply the details which the Constitution, because ofits nature, must leave unprovided for. “The statutes ofthe Philippines are numerous and varied intheit contents. They provide rules and regulations which will goveen ‘the conduct of people inthe face of ever-changing coditon Having the same force of authority as legislative ‘enactments are the weates which the Philippines executes with other states, A treaty has been defined as « compact made between two of more independent nations with « view to the public welfare! As a member of the family of rations, the Philipines isa signatory toand ba ratified numerous treaties and Plipine law sas derived from eases because the ChilCode provides that‘ decisions appyingte orinterpeting tie avs ot ‘the Constitution sal fm parte lel system te Philipines? Following he theesiersjtem ofcourts, only decsionsafts Supreme Court establish jurisprudence and are binding onal other courts ‘Thus, these decisions assume the sume authority asthe statutes "Se oto, CoutfFintlnean, GR. No, 30650, 31,1970, 34S "esa 0 uly 31,1990, SCRA, Son Conn a 8 Ma pe 7 Pi 081947 Sources of Law 15 to which they apply or interpret and until authoritatively abandoned, necessarily become, to the extent that they are applicable the erteria which must consol the actuations not only of those called upon to abide thereby but also of thse duty-bound to enforce obedience thereto “To a certain exten, customary lw fom part of the Filipino legal heritage besause the 1987 Constitution provies tat ‘the ‘State shal recognise respect, and potecthe rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop ticles ations ‘nd institons? This was ra even as early as 1889 because the ld Civil Code provided that “where no statute is exactly ‘applicable to the point in controversy; the custom ofthe place sll be applied, and inthe absence thereof, the general principles ‘of law’. Although this provision was discarded inthe new Civil ‘Code which took effect in 1950, itis believed tht the judge ray still apply the custom of the place or, in its default, the general prineples of law nthe absence ofan saute governing the point in controversy; otherwise the provision of the same Code ‘which requires him to decide every case even where there is no ‘plicable statute would provetobea veritable enigma.’ The Civil Code alzo provides that ‘customs which are contrary to ln, public onder or public policy'shall note countenanced’, anda tcustom must be proved as a fact according to the rules of ‘evidence’? Thus, Philippine law takes cognizance of customs ‘which may be considered as supplementary sources ofthe ls “cate Pin Pr GN 196, Stet, 185, BSCR, ast senean XIV se 17-Tissinplementedy Rep AcNo 891 terse Smwnaeloigea Poppe hich ate sty eps Coting Sc atvinomenandNeraesnees No lst becenbroa00, WT SCRA 28200 Neon Coe Dye per ‘ep. ano 6550. ‘ML Go Anlcntox ProsLt 415 eh 163 Co Ce, ‘EoqttSponaan pesca gcoebrede page yeaa ines Someta teow SGmcasan at16 Philippine Legal system Prnurrine Srarvves ‘The statutes of the Philippines are found inthe various nsetments ofthe Philippine legislature since is creation in 1900, From the establishment of the American civil goverment in 1900 101935, there were 4275 lawspasedby the Philippine Commission and its bicameral successor, the Philippine Legislature. The ‘Commonwealth period winessedthe enactment of 739 states wi {635 Republic Acts were legislated from 04 July 1946 to 21 September 1972. During the martial law period oal of 2,035 Presidential Decrees were promulgated as of Februnty 20, 1986 while 891 laws were enacted by the Batasang Pamhanss from July 23, 1984 to February 1, 1986. A total ef 302 Executive Orders have been issued by President Corazon C. Aquino Congress convened on 27 July 1987 and has enacted 10,639 Republic Acts to date. Thus, there hasbeen a total of 18/600 statutes since 1900, ‘There are 32 codes in force today: (1) Civil Codes" (2) Revised Penal Code; (3) Code of Commerce (1888), (4) Administrative Code; (8) National Internal Revenue Code (6) Omnibus Elston Code (7) Tariff nd Customs Coe; (8) Code of Agrarian Reforms; (8) Land Transportation and Traffic Code;"* (10) National Building Code™ (11) Revised Forestry "cp. et No. 386 (1950, asamnen, SAaND 818 (530 amended 2" Acoleblparftis Cae meee reps and sped by ‘een es One Ns 2592 ly 1987, seamen Dep sping laws, rer proven Aon Comet 7uhih weemtepoee a ese, Mecinov Commision ent No 1982 Dee Boschi ‘re DeseeN 158 (197) saece "ang 811980) Pres Dare No 464179 attended "Rep Aet Na 341963) samen ‘Rep ActNo.436(1960 61 0G 2168 (4Ap 1965), "Rep. AcIN G84 (19h amended Sources ct Law 7 Code (12) Cooperative Code; (13) Labor Code; (14) [National Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Subsiutes® (15) Insurance Code:*(16 Childand Youth Welfare Code (17 Sanitation ‘Code; (18) Water Code (19) Pilipine Environment Coe (20) Muslim Code of Personal Laws” (21) Fire Code,” (22) Coconut Industry Code;" (23) Corporation Code,” (24) Omnibus Investments Code of 1987,” (25) State Auditing Code (28) Local Government Code; (27) the Family Code! (28) Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998;" (29) Intellectual Property Code; (30) The Seertes Regulation Code,” (31) Mest, Inspection Code of te Philippnes;® and (32) The Pre-Need Code The folowing is summary of some of the asic codes, ‘Tue Cove oF Conmence ‘The Code of Commerce became effective on December 1, 1888, largely taken from the Spanish Code of Commerce of Pres Dero No. 708 (1978 end "Rep Ae e838 (1950) fre Dees (970 edd Ee: rds No 31890) "res. Dee No. 612 (1974 Alnrace laws have een omit Pres Deru Na 160(197 ramen, te Doone No 6031979) rede Psa Des 1179919) sage Ore, 91 1989, 880.092 mary 98), $Phes Deco 8551975) 1906293091. "pies Des No 1057 (1976, 8 OG 3854 197) "Pres Deseo No 182 (1079.73 0.6 73563 Augen 197, "Pres Des No 108597), 3 0G 408M 197, "Pres Danes Na 185 (1977.73 0.6 298 177 "Ba Bi 61 (1980), 760.0 23126. SAH, 9H, "tase (1980, 260.0 6855 (ly, 98, > be Orie Na 381987). "res DeneeN 1445 0978, 40.6 Snap Arh T1199 Sx Ore 6.209 (1987 rare, > Rep Act 85501958), Rep. Act Ne S299, ‘Rep. Arno 87990000, “ep. At 8, 9296 200, “Rep Ast 929 2009. (sg 1970,