IGNORANCE OF THE LAW (ARTICLE 2, CIVIL CODE)

Date Published:
PROVISION:

Article 2 of the Civil Code of the Philippines

CODAL TEXT:

ART. 3. Ignorance of the law excuses no one from compliance therewith.

REPHRASING:

An individual's lack of awareness regarding a particular law or its existence does not exempt that individual from the obligation to adhere to its mandates. It is a fundamental principle that all persons within a jurisdiction are presumed to have knowledge of the prevailing laws therein. Consequently, a claim of ignorance cannot be presented as a valid defense against non-compliance or a violation thereof. The responsibility to be informed about the legal framework rests upon each member of society.

RELEVANT JURISPRUDENCE:
  1. [ A.M. NO. RTJ-04-1822. June 25, 2007 ] ATTY. REX G. RICO, COMPLAINANT, VS. JUDGE ANASTACIO C. RUFON (RTC, BACOLOD CITY, BRANCH 51), RESPONDENT.
  2. [ G.R. No. L-37762. December 19, 1985 ] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. EDUARDO B. NERI, DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
  3. [ A.M. NO. MTJ-03-1491 (FORMERLY A.M. NO. 02-9-228-MTC). June 08, 2005 ] LOSS OF COURT EXHIBITS AT MTC-DASMARIÑAS, CAVITE.
  4. [ G.R. No. 257871. April 15, 2024 ] HJA FERWINA JIKIRI AMILHAMJA, ANANG AGANG HAWANG, NENITA PINO AGUIL, AUDIE SINCO JANEA, AND ABDURASA SARIOL ARASID,* PETITIONERS, VS. OMBUDSMAN-MINDANAO, FIELD INVESTIGATION UNIT, REPRESENTED BY: LIWAYWAY SUMAGAYSAY-RONDINA.
  5. [ G.R. Nos. 251978-80. January 24, 2023 ] ANECITA C. SUYAT, ASANO E. ABAN, AND MARCELINO P. ENDI, PETITIONERS, VS. COURT OF APPEALS, OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, AND COMMISSION ON AUDIT, RESPONDENTS.
  6. [ G.R. No. 248495. July 06, 2022 ] ENGR. RUBEN Y. YU, DOING BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME AND STYLE RYU CONSTRUCTION, PETITIONER, VS. HEIRS OF MANUEL SIA, REPRESENTED BY MAYOR ROSEMARIE H. SIA, RESPONDENTS.
  7. [ G.R. Nos. 248653-54. July 14, 2021 ] PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. DIOSDADO G. PALLASIGUE, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.
  8. [ G.R. No. 248255. August 27, 2020 ] CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, PETITIONER, VS. MARILOU T. RODRIGUEZ, RESPONDENT.
  9. [ G.R. Nos. 233155-63. June 23, 2020 ] JOSE TAPALES VILLAROSA, PETITIONER, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT.
COURT OF APPEALS DECISIONS:
  1. [CA-G.R. SP No. 173094] ALMA MARIE PUATU MARQUEZ v. RTC.
  2. [CA-G.R. SP No. 182859] MARK KENT R. VILLAFLORES v. POWERLIFT ELEVATOR.
  3. [CA-G.R. SP NO. 14681] MARIA LOURDES L. IPONG v. OMBUDSMAN.