Social Justice

Justice Laurel, in the landmark case of Calalang vs. Williams, 70 Phil. 726, gave a classic definition of social justice, to wit:

"Social justice is 'neither communism, nor despotism, nor anarchy,' but the humanization of laws and the equalization of social and economic forces by the State so that justice in its rational and objectively secular conception may at least be approximated. Social justice means the promotion of the welfare of all the people, the adoption by the Government of measures calculated to insure economic stability of all the component elements of society, throughthe maintenance of a proper economic and social equilibrium in the interrelations of the members of the community, constitutionally, through the adaption of measures legally justifiable, or extra-constitutionally, through the exercise of powers underlying the existence of all governments on the time-honored principle of salus populi est suprema lex." Whew!

Certainly, one can no longer add to the foregoing beautifully crafted yet wordy definition. Or is it explanation? One can only come up with a less wordy substitute, such as:

"those who have less in life should have more in law."

Simple and easy for ordinary fools este folks like me. Afterall, Labor Laws adhere to "construction in favor of labor" policy. This is clearly enunciated in Article 4 of Presidential Decree 442, which states:"in case of doubts in the implementation and interpretation of the provisions of the Labor Code and its implementing rules and regulations, the doubts shall be resolved in favor of labor." Ergo, favoring those who have less in life - labor- and giving them more in law.

The afore cited is in accord with the will of the ONE who sanctified human labor and said,

"come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."