Text of the provision
Art. 4. Laws shall have no retroactive effect, unless the contrary is provided.
(3)
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
As a rule, a law operates prospectively — it governs acts and events after it takes effect, not before. A law may be given retroactive effect only when it expressly says so. Even then, retroactivity cannot impair vested rights, the obligations of contracts, or (for penal laws) prejudice the accused. Recognized exceptions include curative, procedural, and penal laws favorable to the accused.
Questions about this provision
Related provisions
Cases citing this article
- San Miguel Corporation vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue/Commissioner of Internal Revenue vs. San Miguel Corporation, G.R. No. 257697, April 12, 2023 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- William G. Kwong Management, Inc. and William G. Kwong vs. Diamond Homeowners & Residents, G.R. No. 211353, June 10, 2019 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Philippine International Trading Corporation vs. Commission on Audit, G.R. No. 205837, November 21, 2017 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Gerardo R. Villaseñor and Rodel A. Mesa vs. Ombudsman and Hon. Herbert Bautista, City Mayor, Quezon City, G.R. No. 202303, June 4, 2014 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Republic of the Philippines vs. Remman Enterprises, Inc. represented by Ronnie P. Inocencio, G.R. No. 199310, February 19, 2014 — read the decision on LawPhil →
Compiled automatically from Supreme Court decisions published on LawPhil that expressly cite this article, most frequently cited first. A listing means the decision cites the provision — it is not a statement that the case is the leading authority, and it does not show whether a ruling has since been modified or abandoned. Always read the decision itself.