Text of the provision
Art. 14. Penal laws and those of public security and safety shall be obligatory upon all who live or sojourn in the Philippine territory, subject to the principles of public international law and to treaty stipulations.
(8a)
Civil Code of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, approved June 18, 1949, effective August 30, 1950. Reproduced in full; verified verbatim against the LawPhil and ChanRobles official-text renderings.
What this article means
This states the territoriality principle: Philippine penal and public-safety laws bind everyone within the territory — citizens and foreigners, residents and mere visitors alike. The only exceptions are those recognized by public international law and treaties, such as the immunity of foreign heads of state and accredited diplomats.
Related provisions
- Article 15 — the nationality rule for status and capacity.
- Article 17 — the law governing forms of acts (lex loci).
Cases interpreting this article
- Authorities on this article will be added here as each is verified against primary sources.