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.
Related provisions
Cases interpreting this article
- Authorities on this article will be added here as each is verified against primary sources.
Note. The text of the provision above is reproduced in full from the official enactment (Republic Act No. 386), verified against the LawPhil and ChanRobles renderings. The annotation and commentary around it are the work of Vivas & Nobles Law Office and are general legal information, not legal advice. How a provision applies to a particular situation depends on facts that only a lawyer reviewing your case can assess.