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People v. Limaco 88 Phil. 35 Arthur Jhon Dado

The accused asked a family to sell him a pig, and when they refused, threatened to hack them with a bolo. He proceeded to hack three family members, killing two siblings and their niece. While the trial judge privately felt the death penalty was inappropriate, the court ruled that a judge's private opinions do not determine the legal judgment. Courts must interpret and apply laws as written, even if a judge personally disagrees, as determining a law's wisdom is the role of the legislature. The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment.

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281 views1 page

People v. Limaco 88 Phil. 35 Arthur Jhon Dado

The accused asked a family to sell him a pig, and when they refused, threatened to hack them with a bolo. He proceeded to hack three family members, killing two siblings and their niece. While the trial judge privately felt the death penalty was inappropriate, the court ruled that a judge's private opinions do not determine the legal judgment. Courts must interpret and apply laws as written, even if a judge personally disagrees, as determining a law's wisdom is the role of the legislature. The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Uploaded by

Mike Tee
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Statutory Construction Case Digest

People of the Philippines, plaintiff-appellee vs. Ricardo Limaco., defendants-appellant


G.R. Nos. L-3090, January 9, 1951
Topic: Limitation on Power to Construe
Facts:
One fateful day, the accused came into the house of victims Severa, Sofia, and Matrina,
two siblings and the latter was niece. Then and there the accused asked Severa to sell him
a pig. Severa, due to the absence of her parents, refused, stating that she would not sell a
pig without her parents’ consent. Subsequently, the accused thus said: "If you do not
want to, it is better that you will be hacked because you are selfish." Led to the hacking of
bolo to the three innocent children. Inacia, their eldest sister, witnessed the gruesome fate
of sisters and niece. The society and private opinion of trial judge cried out for death
penalty of accused.
Issue:
WON the private opinion of judge bears force and effect of the judgment?
Ruling:
No, albeit the trial judge indulges in unfavorable comments on the death penalty it bears
no force and effect of law. The Court penalized the accused Reclusion Perpetua.
It is a well settled rule that the courts are not concerned with the wisdom, efficacy or
morality of laws. That question falls exclusively within the province of the Legislature
which enacts them and the Chief Executive who approves or vetoes them. The only
function of he judiciary is to interpret the laws and, if not in disharmony with the
Constitution, to apply them. And for the guidance of the members of the judiciary we feel
it incumbent upon us to state while they as citizens or as judges may regard a certain law
as harsh, unwise or morally wrong, and may recommend to the authority or department
concerned, its amendment, modification or repeal, still, as long as said law is in force,
they must apply it effect as decreed by the law-making body.

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