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Admin Law
NAT’L
GOVT ................. 3 #1 CENTRAL BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES VS. COURT OF APPEALS
AND ABLAZA CONSTRUCTION & FINANCE CORPORATION G.R. NO. L-33022, APRIL 22,
1975.................... 3 #2 BACANI VS.
NACOCO ........................................................... 4 #4 REPUBLIC OF
THE PHILIPPINES VS. RAMBUYONG .......... 5 #5 MACEDA VS. MACARAIG, 197 SCRA
771 .............................. 5 DOCTRINE OF PRIMARY
JURISDICTION ............................... 6 #7 & #97 SAGIP KALIKASAN VS.
PADERANGA, 6/19/2008 ...... 6 #10 UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS VS. DANES B. SANCHEZ,
G.R. NO. 165569, JULY 29, 2010 ...................................................
7 HLURB (PD 957/PD 1344) .........................................................
8 #11 C.T. TORRES ENTERPRISES, INC. VS. HON. ROMEO J. HIBIONADA, G.R. NO. 80916,
NOVEMBER 9, 1990................... 8 #12 & 28 HLC CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION AND HENRY LOPEZ CHUA, PETITIONERS, VS. EMILY HOMES SUBDIVISION
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION (EHSHA) ET.AL [G.R. NO. 139360. SEPTEMBER 23,
2003] ................................................................. 9 #13 AND
133 SPS. CHUA VS. HON. JACINTO G. ANG, G.R. NO. 156164, SEPTEMBER 4,
2009 ....................................................... 10 TOLL REGULATORY
BOARD (PD 1112) ................................... 11 #S 19, 68 AND 94 CEFERINO
PADUA VS. HON. SANTIAGO RANADA, G.R. NO. 141949, OCTOBER 14,
2002 .........................11 QUASI-JUDICIAL
POWER....................................................... 13 #25 AND #84
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES BOARD OF REGENTS VS. HON. COURT OF APPEALS , G.R. NO.
134625, AUGUST 31,
1999......................................................................... 13
FORUM SHOPPING ................................................................ 15
#28 HLC CONSTRUCTION VS. EMILY HOMES SUBDIVISION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
(EHSHA)............................... 15 #29 OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN AND DENNIS M.
VILLAIGNACIO VS. ATTY. GIL A. VALERA AND COURT OF APPEALS, G.R. NO. 164250,
SEPTEMBER 30, 2005.................... 15 #30 EDILLO C. MONTEMAYOR VS. LUIS
BUNDALIAN, RONALDO B. ZAMORA, G.R. NO. 149335, JULY 1, 2003 ........... 16 #31
JESUS CABARRUS, JR. VS. JOSE ANTONIO BERNAS, [A.C. NO. 4634, SEPTEMBER 24,
1997] ............................................... 17 #32 TOMAS G. VELASQUEZ VS.
HELEN B. HERNANDEZ, [G.R. NO. 150732., AUGUST 31,
2004] .................................................. 18 #33 OFFICE OF THE
OMBUDSMAN VS. ROLSON RODRIGUEZ, G.R. NO. 172700, JULY 23,
2010 ........................... 19 QUASI-LEGISLATIVE
POWER................................................ 20 #43 AVELINA B. CONTE AND
LETICIA BOISER-PALMA, VS. COMMISSION ON AUDIT (COA), [G.R. NO. 116422, NOVEMBER 4,
1996] ................................................................. 20
#44 GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM (GSIS) VS. COMMISSION ON AUDIT (COA), G.R.
NO. 162372, OCTOBER 19,
2011 ..............................................................................
........... 21 #45 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION VS. INTERPORT RESOURCES
CORPORATION, G.R. NO. 135808, OCTOBER 6,
2008 ...................................................................... 22 #46
KILUSANG MAYO UNO ET. AL. VS. THE DIRECTORGENERAL, NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY, AND THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT, G.R. NO. 167798,
APRIL 19,
2006 ..............................................................................
..............24 #47 REVIEW CENTER ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES VS. EXECUTIVE
SECRETARY EDUARDO ERMITA AND COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION REPRESENTED BY ITS
CHAIRMAN ROMULO L. NERI, G.R. NO. 180046, APRIL 2,
2009 ..............................................................................
.............. 25 POWER TO ISSUE
SUBPOENA............................................... 26 #51 EV A N G E L I S T A
V S J A R E N C I O, 6 8 S C R A 9
9 .................................................................................
.................26 IMPLEMENTING RULES OR INTERPRETATIVE POLICIES ... 29 #53 TANADA
V. TUVERA ......................................................... 29 #55 GSIS VS.
COA ..................................................................... 29 #56
PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL TRADING CORPORATION VS. COMMISSION ON
AUDIT .................................................. 31 #57 PHILSA
INTERNATIONAL PLACEMENT CORPORATION VS. THE SECRETARY OF
LABOR.............................................. 32 #58 AND #154 HONASAN VS. DOJ
PANEL (SUPERSEDED BY OMB-DOJ MOA 3/29/12),
4/13/2004.......................................... 34 REQUIREMENT OF
ADMINISTRATIVE DUE PROCESS ......... 36 #63 ALCALA VS. SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
VILLAR....................... 36 #64 MANUEL LAXINA VS. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN ..
37 #65 OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN VS. VICTORIO N.
MEDRANO ...........................................................................
...... 37 #67 OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN VS MASING ................... 38 #68 CEFERINO
PADUA VS. HON. SANTIAGO RANADA, G.R. NO. 141949, OCTOBER 14,
2002 .................................................39 #69 DOH VS
CAMPOSANO ......................................................39 #70 MALINAO VS
REYES .......................................................... 41 DUE PROCESS IN
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS........... 42 #74 CSC VS. ALBAO 472 SCRA 548 G.R. NO.
155784 OCTOBER 13,
2005...............................................................................
.........42 #75 ZAMBALES CHROMITE MINING CO. VS. COURT OF APPEALS, G.R. NO. L-
49711, NOVEMBER 7, 1979 ..................... 43 #76 SINGSON, VS. NATIONAL LABOR
RELATIONS COMMISSION AND PAL, G.R. NO. 122389, JUNE 19, 1997....... 43 #84 UP BOARD
OF REGENTS VS. HON. COURT OF APPEALS , G.R. NO. 134625, AUGUST 31,
1999 ........................................... 44
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF #85 NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION (NAPOCOR) VS. NATIONAL
LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, G.R. NOS. 90933-61 MAY 29,
1997............................................................... 44 #86 LINCOLN
GERARD, INC. VS. NLRC, G.R. NO. 85295, JULY 23,
1990 ..............................................................................
......... 45 #89 SARAH P. AMPONG VS. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION. 46 #90 ARSENIO P.
LUMIQUED VS. HONORABLE APOLONIO G. EXEVEA ET. AL., G.R. NO. 117565, NOVEMBER 18,
1997.......... 47 #91 VIRGILIO MAQUILAN, VS. DITA MAQUILAN, G.R. NO. 155409, JUNE
8, 2007 ................................................................. 48 #92
EDWIN RAZON Y LUCEA VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, G.R. NO. 158053, JUNE 21,
2007 ......................... 49 #93 ATTY. ROMEO S. PEREZ, VS. HON. JUDGE CARLOS
ABIERA, A.M. NO. 223-J, JUNE 11, 1975 ..................................... 49
CARDINAL PRIMARY RIGHTS IN ADMINISTRATIVE
PROCEEDINGS ......................................................................
50 #94 CEFERINO PADUA VS. HON. SANTIAGO RANADA, G.R. NO. 141949, OCTOBER 14,
2002 ................................................ 50 DOCTRINE OFEXHAUSTION OF
ADMINISTRATIVE
REMEDIES ..........................................................................
... 50 #97 SAGIP KALIKASAN VS. PADERANGA, 6/19/2008 ............. 50 DISTINCTION
BETWEEN DOCTRINE OF PRIMARY JURISDICTION & DOCTRINE OF EXHAUSTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE
REMEDIES............................................... 50 #108 AND # 131 THE
ALEXANDRA CONDO CORP. VS. LLDA, 599 SCRA
453 .............................................................................
50 PRINCIPLE OF PRESIDENTIAL POWER OF CONTROL.......... 51 #124 AND #125 BITO-ONON
VS. JUDGE YAP-FERNANDEZ ... 51 PRESIDENT’S POWER OF GENERAL
SUPERVISION ............. 53 #125 BITO-ONON VS. JUDGE YAP-
FERNANDEZ .................... 53 FINDING OF
FACTS ............................................................... 53 #127
BAYANI BAUTISTA VS. PATRICIA ARANETA ................. 53 # 128 TERESITA G. FABIAN
VS. NESTOR V. AGUSTIN .......... 54 WHEN MAY COURTS REVIEW ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS
...................................................................................
............ 56 # 131 THE ALEXANDRA CONDO CORP. VS. LLDA, 599 SCRA
453 ...............................................................................
............... 56 THREE-FOLD
RESPONSIBILITY ............................................ 56 #133 SPS. CHUA VS.
HON. JACINTO G. ANG, G.R. NO. 156164, SEPTEMBER 4,
2009 .................................................................. 56 #139 AND
#166 GARCIA VS. MOJICA, 314 SCRA 207 ................ 56 OMB
JURISDICTION ............................................................. 58 #154
HONASAN VS. DOJ PANEL (SUPERSEDED BY OMB-DOJ MOA 3/29/12),
4/13/2004 ........................................................... 58
wholly void", "no contract between the petitioner and REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
VS. NAT’L GOVT #1 CENTRAL BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES VS. COURT OF APPEALS AND ABLAZA
CONSTRUCTION & respondent Ablaza Construction and Finance Corporation was ever
perfected because only the first stage, that is the award of the contract to the
lowest responsible bidder, was completed."
FINANCE CORPORATION G.R. NO. L-33022, APRIL 22, 1975 By: Bianca Cezar Facts: This
is a petition made by the Central Bank which was sentenced to pay respondent Ablaza
Construction and Finance Corporation for damages for breach of contract. In this
case, it appears that after going thru the process of usual bidding, CB awarded to
Ablaza a construction contract and allowed the latter to commence work. However, on
a certain date the Bank then refused to proceed with the project unless the plans
were revised and a lower price were agreed to by Ablaza. Now CB raises the issue
that there was no perfected contract between the parties as there was no compliance
with the requirement under Section 607 of the Revised Issue: WON the aforementioned
provisions apply to the Central Bank so as to render void the contract entered into
by CB and Ablaza. No. Is Central Bank part of National government? No. Ruling: It
is of the court’s view that contracts entered into by petitioner Central Bank are
not within the contemplation of Sections 607 and 608. Immediately to be noted,
Section 607 specifically refers to "expenditure(s) of the National Government" and
that the term "National Government" may not be deemed to include the Central Bank.
Under the Administrative Code itself, the term "National Government" refers only to
the central government, consisting of the legislative, executive and judicial
departments of the government, as distinguished from local governments and other
governmental entities and is not synonymous, therefore, with the terms "The
Government of the Republic of the Philippines" or "Philippine Government", which
are the expressions broad enough to include not only the central government but
also the provincial and municipal governments, chartered cities and other
governmentcontrolled corporations or agencies, like the Central Bank. To be sure
the Central Bank is a government
Coconut Corporation, being a government entity, was exempt from the payment of the
fees in question. NACOCO set up set up as a defense that it is a government entity
within the purview of section 2 of the Revised Administrative Code of 1917 and,
hence, it is exempt from paying the stenographers’ fees under Rule 130 of the Rules
of Court but Bacani and Matoto argued that NACOCO is not a government entity within
the purview of section 16, Rule 130 of the Rules of Court. Issue: Whether the
National Coconut Corporation may be considered as included in the term “Government
of the Republic of the Philippines” for the purposes of the exemption of the legal
fees provided for in Rule 130 of the Rules of Court. Held: No, it is not. Reason:
GOCCs do not come under the classification of municipal or public corporation like
NACOCO. National Coconut Corporation was organized with the purpose of “adjusting
the coconut industry to a position independent of trade preferences in the Unit ed
States” and of providing “Facilities for the better curing of copra products and
the proper utilization of coconut by-products”, a function which our government has
chosen to exercise to promote the coconut industry, however, it was given a
corporate power separate and distinct from our government, for it was made subject
to the provisions of our Corporation Law in so far as its corporate existence and
the powers that it may exercise are concerned. It may sue and be sued in the same
manner as any other private corporations, and in this sense it is an entity
different from our government. As this Court has aptly said, “The mere fact that
the Government happens to be a majority stockholder does not make it a
assigned in Branch VI of the Court of First Instance of Manila. During the pendency
of the case Francisco Sycip vs. National Coconut Corporation, Assistant Corporate
Counsel Federico Alikpala, counsel for Defendant, requested said stenographers for
copies of the transcript of the
stenographic notes taken by them during the hearing. Bacani and Matoto complied
with the request by delivering to Counsel Alikpala the needed transcript containing
714 pages and thereafter submitted to him their bills for the payment of their
fees. The National Coconut Corporation paid the amount of P564 to Bacani and P150
to Matoto for said transcript at the rate of P1 per page. Upon inspecting the books
of NACOCO, the Auditor General disallowed the payment of these fees and sought the
recovery of the amounts paid. the Auditor General required the Plaintiffs to
reimburse said amounts on the strength of a circular of the Department of Justice
wherein the opinion was expressed that the National
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
public corporation” (National Coal Co. vs. Collector of Internal Revenue, 46 Phil.,
586-587). #4 Republic of the Philippines vs. Rambuyong By: Mae Bungabong Facts:
Alfred Chu filed a case for collection of a sum of money and/ or damages against
the National Power Corporation which was raffled to the RTC of Ipil, Zamboanga
Sibugay Branch 24. Appearing for Chu is Atty. Richard Rambuyong who was the
incumbent Vice-Mayor of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, NPC filed a Motion for Inhibition
of Atty. Rambuyong arguing that under Sec. 90(b) RA 7160 (LGC), sanggunian members
are prohibited to appear as counsel before any court wherein any office, agency or
instrumentality of the government is the adverse party. NPC argued that being a
GOCC, it is embraced within the term instrumentality. The RTC favoured Rambuyong.
The CA upheld the decision of the lower court. Hence, this petition Issue: Whether
NPC is an instrumentality of government such Atty. Rambuyong, as a sanggunian
member, should not appear as counsel against it. Held: Yes, NPC is government
instrumentality thus, Atty. Rambuyong should not appear as counsel against it.
Reason: Based on jurisprudence, Maceda vs Macaraig, Jr., 1997 197 SCRA 771 (1991),
the Court stated that NPC is a government instrumentality with the enormous task of
undertaking development of hydroelectric generation of
that upon FIRB recommendation it can again be restored. In the same year, FIRB
resolved to restore the exemption. The same was approved by Cory through exec sec
Macaraig acting as her alter ego. Maceda opined the FIRB resolution averring that
the power granted to the FIRB is an undue delegation of legislative power. His
claim was strengthened by Opinion 77 issued by DOJ Secretary Ordoñez. ISSUE:
Whether or not Opinion 77 can be given credence. HELD: The SC ruled that there is
no undue delegation of legislative power. First of all, since the NPC is a GOCC and
is non-profit it can be exempt from taxation. Also, Opinion 77 issued by DOJ Sec
Ordoñez was overruled by Macaraig. This action by Macaraig is valid because the
Executive Secretary, by authority of the President, has the power to modify, alter
or reverse the construction of a statute given by a department secretary – pursuant
to the president’s control power.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
DOCTRINE OF PRIMARY JURISDICTION #7 & #97 Sagip Kalikasan vs. Paderanga, 6/19/2008
By: Mides Cerbo FACTS: This is a complaint for gross ignorance of the law and
conduct unbecoming a judge filed by retired Lt. Gen. Alfonso P. Dagudag (Gen.
Dagudag), Head of Task Force Sagip Kalikasan, against Judge Maximo G. W. Paderanga
(Judge Paderanga), Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 38, Cagayan
de Oro City. On or about 30 January 2005, the Region VII Philippine National Police
Regional Maritime Group (PNPRMG) received information that MV General Ricarte of
NMC Container Lines, Inc. was shipping container vans
On 1 February 2005, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) OIC
Loreto A. Rivac (Rivac) sent a notice to NMC Container Lines, Inc. asking for
explanation why the government should not confiscate the forest products.3 In an
affidavit4 dated 9 February 2005, NMC Container Lines, Inc.'s Branch Manager Alex
Conrad M. Seno stated that he did not see any reason why the government should not
confiscate the forest products and that NMC Container Lines, Inc. had no knowledge
of the actual content of the container vans. On 2, 9, and 15 February 2005, DENR
Forest Protection Officer Lucio S. Canete, Jr. posted notices on the CENRO and
PENRO bulletin boards and at the NMC Container Lines, Inc. building informing the
unknown owner about the administrative adjudication scheduled on 18 February 2005
at the Cebu City CENRO. Nobody appeared during the adjudication.5 In a resolution6
dated 10 March 2005, Rivac, acting as adjudication officer, recommended to DENR
Regional Executive Director Clarence L. Baguilat that the forest products be
confiscated in favor of the government. In a complaint7 dated 16 March 2005 and
filed before Judge Paderanga, a certain Roger C. Edma (Edma) prayed that a writ of
replevin be issued ordering the defendants DENR, CENRO, Gen. Dagudag, and others to
deliver the forest products to him and that judgment be rendered ordering the
defendants to pay him moral damages, attorney's fees, and litigation expenses.
HELD: Section 8, Rule 140 of the Rules of Court classifies gross ignorance of the
law as a serious offense. It is punishable by (1) dismissal from the service,
forfeiture of benefits, and disqualification from reinstatement to any public
office; (2) suspension from office without salary and other benefits for more than
three months but not exceeding six months; or (3) a fine of more than P20,000 but
not exceeding P40,000.38 Section 10 of Rule 140 classifies conduct unbecoming a
judge as a light offense. It is punishable by (1)
containing illegal forest products from Cagayan de Oro to Cebu. The shipments were
falsely declared as cassava meal and corn grains to avoid inspection by the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).1 On 30 and 31 January 2005,
a team composed of representatives from the PNPRMG, DENR, and the Philippine Coast
Guard inspected the container vans at a port in Mandaue City, Cebu. The team
discovered the undocumented forest products and the names of the shippers and
consignees. The crew of MV General Ricarte failed to produce the certificate of
origin forms and other pertinent transport documents covering the forest products,
as required by DENR Administrative Order No. 07-94. Gen. Dagudag alleged that,
since nobody claimed the forest products within a reasonable period of time, the
DENR considered them as abandoned and, on 31 January 2005, the Provincial
Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Officer-in-Charge (OIC), Richard
N. Abella, issued a seizure receipt to NMC Container Lines, Inc.2
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
a fine of not less than P1,000 but not exceeding P10,000; (2) censure; (3)
reprimand; or (4) admonition with warning.39 The Court notes that this is Judge
Paderanga's third offense. In Office of the Court Administrator v. Paderanga,40the
Court held him liable for grave abuse of authority and simple misconduct for
unceremoniously citing a lawyer in contempt while declaring himself as having
"absolute power" and for repeatedly telling a lawyer to "shut up." InBeltran, Jr.
v. Paderanga,41 the Court held him liable for undue delay in rendering an order for
the delay of nine months in resolving an amended formal offer of exhibits. In both
cases, the Court sternly warned Judge Paderanga that the commission of another
offense shall be dealt with more severely. The instant case and the two cases
decided against him demonstrate Judge Paderanga's arrogance,
making it impossible for him to take the nursing board examinations, and depriving
him of the opportunity to make a living. The respondent prayed that the RTC order
UST to release his ToR and hold UST liable for actual, moral, and exemplary
damages, attorney's fees, and the costs of suit. Instead of filing an Answer,
petitioners filed a Motion to Dismiss where they claimed that they refused to
release respondent's ToR because he was not a registered student, since he had not
been enrolled in the university for the last three semesters. Petitioners also
filed a Supplement to their Motion Dismiss, alleging that respondent sought
incorrigibility, and unfitness to become a judge. Judge Paderanga has two other
administrative cases pending against him — one42 for gross ignorance of the law,
knowingly rendering an unjust judgment, and grave abuse of authority, and the
other43 for gross misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and gross ignorance of the
law . #10 UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS vs. DANES B. SANCHEZ, G.R. No. 165569, July 29,
2010 By: Madel Cervantes Facts: This case began with a Complaint for Damages filed
by respondent Sanchez against the UST and its Board of Directors, the Dean and the
Assistant Dean of the UST College of Nursing, and the University Registrar for
their alleged unjustified refusal to release the respondent's ToR. In his
Complaint, respondent alleged that he graduated from UST in 2002 with a Bachelor's
Degree of Science in Nursing. When respondent sought to secure a copy of his ToR
with the UST Registrar's Office, UST refused to release his records despite
repeated attempts secure the same
no
2.) WON respondent violated the rule against forumshopping when he sought recourse
with both the CHED and the RTC. Held: 1.) No. The rule on primary jurisdiction
applies only where the administrative agency exercises quasi-judicial or
adjudicatory functions. Thus, an essential requisite for this doctrine to apply is
the actual existence of quasi-judicial power. However, petitioners have not shown
that the CHED possesses any such power to "investigate facts or ascertain the
existence of facts, hold hearings, weigh evidence, and draw conclusions." Section 8
of Republic Act No. 7722 otherwise known as the Higher Education Act of 1994,
no
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
certainly does not contain any express grant to the CHED of judicial or quasi-
judicial power. 2.) No. Respondent is not guilty of forum shopping. Forum shopping
exists when, as a result of an adverse opinion in one forum, a party seeks a
favorable opinion (other than by appeal or certiorari) in another, or when he
institutes two or more actions or proceedings grounded on the same cause, on the
gamble that one or the other court would make a favorable disposition. Here, there
can be no forum shopping precisely because the CHED is without quasi-judicial
power, and cannot make any disposition of the case - whether favorable or
otherwise. HLURB (PD 957/PD 1344) #11 C.T. TORRES ENTERPRISES, INC. VS. HON. ROMEO
J. HIBIONADA, G.R. NO. 80916, NOVEMBER 9, 1990 By: Bianca Cezar Facts: The
petitioner as agent of private respondent Pleasantville Development Corporation
sold a subdivision lot on installment to private respondent Efren Diongon. The
installment payments having been completed, Diongon demanded the delivery of the
certificate of title to the subject land. When neither the petitioner nor
Pleasantville complied, he filed a complaint against them for specific performance
and damages in the RTC. It was then that C.T. Torres Enterprises filed a motion to
dismiss for lack of jurisdiction, contending that the competent body to hear and
decide the case was the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board. The trial court
however, denied the motion to dismiss and upheld the jurisdiction of the regular
courts over the said case. Issue: Who has jurisdiction over the case. The HLURB.
Ruling:
P.D. No. 1344 specified the quasi-judicial jurisdiction of the National Housing
Authority as follows: SECTION 1. In the exercise of its functions to regulate the
real estate trade and business and in addition to its powers provided for in
Presidential Decree No. 957, the National Housing Authority shall have exclusive
jurisdiction to hear and decide cases of the following nature: A. Unsound real
estate business practices; B. Claims involving refund and any other claims filed by
subdivision lot or condominium unit buyer against the project owner developer,
dealer, broker or salesman; and C. Cases involving specific performance of
contractual and statutory obligations filed by buyers of subdivision lots or
condominium units against the owner, developer, dealer, broker or salesman.
Subsequently, under E.O. No. 648, the regulatory functions conferred on the NHA
were transferred to the Human Settlements Regulatory Commission, which was later on
renamed as the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board. It is clear from Section 1(c)
of the above quoted PD No. 1344 that the complaint for specific performance with
damages filed by Diongon with the Regional Trial Court of Negros Occidental comes
under the jurisdiction of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board. Diongon is a
buyer of a subdivision lot seeking specific performance of the seller's obligation
to deliver to him the corresponding certificate of title. In the Solid Homes case,
for example, the Court affirmed the competence of the Housing and Land Use
Regulatory Board to award damages. It was held that: Limited delegation of judicial
or quasi-judicial authority to administrative jurisdiction, agencies is well
recognized need for in our
basically
because the
special
character and because of companion recognition that the dockets of our regular
courts have remained crowded and clogged. xxx xxx xxx In sum, the complaint for
specific performance and damages was improperly filed with the respondent court,
jurisdiction over the case being exclusively vested in the Housing and Land Use
Regulatory Board. #12 & 28 HLC CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
petitioners, vs. AND EMILY HENRY HOMES LOPEZ CHUA,
The HLURB[8] is the government agency empowered to regulate the real estate trade
and business, having exclusive jurisdiction to hear and decide cases involving: (a)
(b) unsound real estate business practices; claims involving refunds and any other
claims filed by subdivision lot or condominium unit buyers against the project
owner, developer, dealer, broker or salesman; (c) and cases involving specific
performance of
SUBDIVISION
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION (EHSHA) et.al [G.R. No. 139360. September 23, 2003] By:
Bianca Cezar Facts: Emily Homes Subdivision Homeowners Association
(EHSHA) and 150 individual members filed a civil action for breach of contract,
damages and attorney’s fees with the Regional Trial Court against the developers of
Emily Homes Subdivision for allegedly using substandard materials in the
construction of their houses and for not adhering to the house plan specifications.
When respondents asked the
HLC to repair their defective housing units, the petitioners failed to do so.
Issue: Petitioners filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, claiming that: a. It
was the HLURB and not the trial court which had jurisdiction over the case. YES. b.
The defective certification on non-forum shopping which was signed only by the
president of EHSHA and not by all its members warrants the dismissal of the
complaint. NO. Ruling: a. #12 DOCTRINE OF PRIMARY JURISDICTION
shared a common interest in the subject matter of the case, being the aggrieved
residents of the poorly constructed and developed Emily Homes Subdivision. Due to
the collective nature of the case, there was no doubt that Mr. Samaon M.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
10
Buat could validly sign the certificate of non-forum shopping in behalf of all his
co-plaintiffs. In cases therefore where it is highly impractical to require all the
plaintiffs to sign the certificate of non-forum shopping, it is sufficient, in
order not to defeat the ends of justice, for one of plaintiffs, acting as
representative, to sign the certificate provided that, as in Cavile et al., the
plaintiffs share a common interest in the subject matter of the case or filed the
case as a “collective,” raising only one common cause of action or defense.
The petitioners allege that the private respondents did not construct and failed to
deliver the contracted condominium unit to them and did not register the Contract
to Sell with the Register of Deeds.
However, the complaint was dismissed because it was held that it is the HLURB that
has exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving real estate business and practices.
Issue: Finally, though there was no forum shopping in this case, the trial court
should have nonetheless dismissed the complaint for a more important reason – it
had no jurisdiction over it. It is the HLURB, not the trial court, which had
jurisdiction over respondents’ complaint.
____________________________________________________ #13 and 133 SPS. CHUA VS. HON.
JACINTO G. ANG, G.R. NO. 156164, SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 By: Bianca Cezar Facts: Sps.
Chua as buyers and Fil-Estate Properties (FEPI) as developers, executed a contract
to sell a condominium unit. Despite the lapse of 3 years, FEPI failed to construct
and deliver the contracted condominium unit to the petitioners. As a result, the
petitioners filed a Complaint accusing the private respondents of violating P.D.
No. 957. Section 39 of which provides: Sec. 39. Penalties. - Any person who shall
violate any of the provisions of this Decree and/or any rule or regulation that may
be issued pursuant to this Decree shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of
not more than twenty thousand (P20,000.00) pesos and/or imprisonment of not more
than ten years:xxx A. Unsound real estate business practices; B. Claims involving
refund and any other claims filed by subdivision lot or condominium unit buyer
against the project owner, developer, dealer, broker or salesman; and C. Cases
involving specific performance of contractual and statutory obligations filed by
buyers of subdivision lots or condominium units against the owner, developer,
dealer, broker or salesman. P.D. No. 1344 clearly provides the scope of
jurisdiction of the HLURB. Its jurisdiction is limited to cases which involve: #13
HLURB Topic Ruling: WON the jurisdiction to entertain criminal complaints in
relation to real estate business and practices is still lodged with the HLURB. No.
The Jurisdiction of the HLURB is limited to decisions over contractual rights and
obligations of the parties and does not include jurisdiction over criminal
complaints.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
11
From the foregoing, the HLURB’s jurisdiction over contractual rights and
obligations of parties under subdivision and condominium contracts is clear. But
hand in hand with this definition and grant of authority is the provision on
criminal penalties for violations of the Decree, provided under the Decree’s
Section 39. Significantly, nothing in P.D. No. 957 vests the HLURB with
jurisdiction penalties. to impose the Section 39 criminal
validity and legality of TRB Resolution No. 2001-89 before the RTC. Padua alleged
among others that the Resolution No. 2001-89 : 1. Was issued without the required
publication and in
violation of due process; 2. It was issued without basis considering that while it
was signed by three (3) of the five members of the TRB, none of them actually
attended the hearing. Zialcita on the other hand asserts that: 1. The provisional
toll rate adjustments are exorbitant
and that the TRB violated its own Charter, Presidential TOLL REGULATORY BOARD (PD
1112) #s 19, 68 and 94 CEFERINO PADUA vs. HON. SANTIAGO RANADA, G.R. No. 141949,
October 14, 2002 By: Bianca Cezar Facts: WON there was a violation of
administrative due process The focal point upon which these two consolidated cases
converge is whether Resolution No. 2001-89 issued by the Toll Regulatory Board
(TRB) is valid. 1. Tracing back the events that led to the issuance of the said
Resolution, it appears that on February 2001 the Citra Metro Manila Tollways
Corporation (CITRA) filed with the TRB an application for an interim adjustment of
the toll rates at the Metro Manila Skyway Project, on the basis of the provisions
2. Though the resolution was signed by the Executive Director and the 4 other
directors, none of them really There was no publication; (#68 Requirement of
Administrative Due Process) and that when the TRB issued its resolution approving
the increase in Toll rates because Issues: WON the remedies initiated by the
petitioners in the RTC are proper. NO. (#19 Toll Regulatory Board) Decree No. 1112,
[17] when it promulgated Resolution No. 2001-89 without the benefit of any public
hearing.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
12
court dockets, the need for specialized administrative boards or commissions with
the special knowledge, experience and capability to hear and determine promptly
disputes on technical matters or intricate questions of facts, subject to judicial
review in case of grave abuse of discretion, is indispensable. Between the power
lodged in an administrative body and a court, the unmistakable trend is to refer it
to the former."[24] In Industrial Enterprises, Inc. vs. Court of Appeals,[25] it
was ruled: "x x x, if the case is such that its determination requires the
involves question of facts xxx. TRB decision is appealable within 10 days to the
Office of President.” The remedy of prohibition initiated by petitioner Zialcita
violates the twin doctrine of primary administrative jurisdiction and non-
exhaustion of administrative remedies. P.D. No. 1112 explicitly provides that "the
decisions of the TRB on petitions for the increase of toll rate shall be appealable
to the Office of the President within ten (10) days from the promulgation thereof."
Section 9(3) of P.D. No. 1894 reiterates this instruction. and so are the
provisions in the TRB Rules of Procedure. Obviously, the laws and the TRB Rules of
Procedure have provided the remedies of an interested Expressways user. The initial
proper recourse is to file a petition for review of the adjusted toll rates with
the TRB. The need for a prior resort to this body is with reason. The TRB, as the
agency assigned to supervise the collection of toll fees and the operation of toll
facilities, has the necessary expertise, training and skills to judiciously decide
matters of this kind. As may be gleaned from the petition, the main thrust of
petitioner Zialcita’s argument is that the provisional toll rate adjustments are
exorbitant, oppressive, onerous and unconscionable. This is obviously a question of
fact requiring knowledge of the formula used and the factors considered in
determining the assailed rates. Definitely, this task is within the province of the
TRB. We take cognizance of the wealth of jurisprudence on the doctrine of primary
administrative jurisdiction and
13
support
in
catena
of
cases
decreeing
that
"all
consideration of the law and facts of the controversy, and not simply accept the
views of a subordinate." Thus, it is logical to say that this mandate was rendered
precisely to ensure that in cases where the hearing or reception of evidence is
assigned to a subordinate, the body or agency shall not merely rely on his
recommendation but instead shall personally weigh and assess the evidence which the
said subordinate has gathered." Be that as it may, it must be stressed that the
TRB’s authority to grant provisional toll rate adjustments does not even require
the conduct of a hearing. To clarify the intent of P.D. No. 1112 as to the extent
of the
TRB’s power,[35] Former President Marcos further issued LOI No. 1334-A expressly
allowing the TRB to grant ex-parte provisional or temporary increase in toll rates.
Hence, it is clear that a hearing is not necessary for the grant of provisional
toll rate adjustment. The practice is not something peculiar. It was ruled in a
number of cases that an administrative agency may be empowered to approve
provisionally, when demanded by urgent public need, rates of public utilities
without a hearing. The reason is easily discerned from the fact that provisional
rates are by their nature temporary and subject to adjustment in conformity with
the definitive rates approved after final hearing. Accordingly, Padua and
Zialcita’s respective remedies were dismissed. QUASI-JUDICIAL POWER #25 and #84
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES BOARD OF REGENTS vs. HON. COURT OF APPEALS , G.R. No.
134625, August 31, 1999 By: Bianca Cezar
"x x x Corollarily, in a catena of cases, this Court laid down the cardinal
requirements of due process in administrative proceedings, one of which is that
"the tribunal or body or any of its judges must act on its or his own independent
Facts: Private respondent Arokiaswamy William Margaret Celine enrolled in the
doctoral program in Anthropology of the
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
14
On the basis of such report, a letter was sent to Celine informing her of the
withdrawal of her Ph.D degree. Celine then raised the matter to the Trial Court
which dismissed the same. Upon appeal however, the CA reversed the decision of the
Trial Court on the basis that Celine was denied due process. Hence this petition.
Issue: a. WON Celine was denied of Due Process. No. (#84
Philippines." However, after going over her dissertation, the assistant Dean
informed the CSSP Dean Paz that there were portions in Celine’s dissertation that
was lifted from various published works without proper acknowledgment.
Due Process in Administrative Proceedings) b. WON the UP Board of Regents has the
authority to
Nonetheless, Celine was allowed to defend her dissertation and was able to have a
passing mark. Dean Paz in a letter, then requested the Vice Chancellor for Academic
Affairs, to exclude Celine from the list of candidates for graduation, pending
clarification of the problems regarding the latter’s dissertation. Apparently, the
letter did not reach the Board of Regents on time and Celine was able to graduate.
Subsequently, the assistant dean formally charged Celine with plagiarism and
recommended that the doctorate granted to her be withdrawn. Various ad hoc
committees were then formed to investigate the plagiarism charge against Celine. In
a letter, Dean Paz informed Celine of the charges against her and in a subsequent
letter; Celine was summoned to a meeting and was asked to submit her written
explanation to the charges against her. During the meeting, Celine was informed of
the charges against her and was provided a copy of the findings of the
investigating committee. Celine on the other hand submitted her written explanation
in a letter. Subsequently, the investigating committees submitted their report with
the same conclusion, - that there was indeed an overwhelming proof of massive
lifting and even admission on the part of Ms. Celine that she plagiarized, and so
the Committee recommended the withdrawal of the doctoral degree of Ms. Celine.
withdraw the Ph.D already conferred. Yes. (#25 Quasi – Judicial Power) Ruling: #84
With regard to the first issue, the court held that it cannot be said that Celine
was denied of Due Process. First, from the facts of the case it is clear that
various committees had been formed to investigate the charge that private
respondent had committed plagiarism and, in all the investigations held, she was
heard in her defense and consequently all investigations resulted in a finding that
Celine committed dishonesty in submitting her doctoral dissertation on the basis of
which she was conferred the Ph.D. degree. In administrative proceedings, the
essence of due process is simply the opportunity to explain one's side of a
controversy or a chance seek reconsideration of the action or ruling complained
of.27 A party who has availed of the opportunity to present his position cannot
tenably claim to have been denied due process.28 In this case, private respondent
was informed in writing of the charges against her29 and afforded opportunities to
refute them. She was asked to submit her written explanation, which she was able to
do30 Private respondent then met with the U.P. chancellor and the members of the
Zafaralla committee to discuss her case. In addition, she
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
15
sent several letters to the U.P. authorities explaining her position.31 Second., it
is not tenable for private respondent to argue that she was entitled to have an
audience before the Board of Regents. Due process in an administrative context does
not require trial-type proceedings similar to those in the courts of justice. And
Third, Celine cannot contend that she was entitled to be furnished a copy of the
report of the Zafaralla committee as part of her right to due process. In Ateneo de
Manila University v. Capulong,34 we held: Respondent students may not use the
argument that since they were not accorded the opportunity to see and examine the
written statements which became the basis of petitioners' February 14, 1991 order,
they were denied procedural due process. Granting that they were denied such
opportunity, the same may not be said to detract from the observance of due
process, for disciplinary cases involving students need not necessarily include the
right to cross examination. An administrative proceeding conducted to investigate
students' participation in a hazing activity need not be clothed with the
attributes of a judicial proceeding. . .
#25 Anent the second issue, the UP Board of Regents has the authority to withdraw
the conferment of a degree founded on fraud. Under the U.P. Charter, the Board of
Regents is the highest governing body of the University of the Philippines.38 It
has the power confer degrees upon the recommendation of the University Council.39
If follows that if the conferment of a degree is founded on error or fraud, the
Board of Regents is also empowered, subject to the observance of due process, to
withdraw what it has granted without violating a student's rights. An institution
of higher learning cannot be powerless if it discovers that an academic degree it
has conferred is not rightfully deserved. Nothing can be more objectionable than
bestowing a university's highest
academic degree upon an individual who has obtained the same through fraud or
deceit. The pursuit of academic excellence is the university's concern. It should
be empowered, as an act of self-defense, to take measures to protect itself from
serious threats to its integrity. FORUM SHOPPING #28 HLC CONSTRUCTION vs. EMILY
HOMES
In sum: (Please See Case #12 under HLURB Topic) 1. In administrative proceedings,
the essence of due #29 OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN and DENNIS M. VILLA-IGNACIO vs.
ATTY. GIL A. VALERA and COURT OF APPEALS, G.R. No. 164250, September 30, 2005 By:
Bianca Cezar Nature: Petition for review on certiorari filed by the Office of the
Ombudsman and Villa Ignacio, in his capacity as the special prosecutor, seeking the
reversal of the CA decision setting aside the Preventive suspension order issued by
VillaIgnacio against respondent Atty. Gil A. Valera. process is simply the
opportunity to explain one's side of a controversy or a chance seek reconsideration
of the action or ruling complained of; 2. Due process in an administrative context
does not
16
Facts: Respondent Valera was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs
in charge of the Revenue Collection Monitoring Group. The office of Ombudsman
received a Sowrn complaint filed by the Director of the PNP Criminal Investigation
and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and Atty. Adolfo Casareño against respondent Valera
for entering into a compromise agreement with Steel Asia Manufacturing Corp. in
Civil Case No. 01-102504 to the prejudice of the government. Petitioner Special
Prosecutor Villa-Ignacio the Issued a Preventive suspension order against Atty.
Valera, VillaIgnacio likewise denied Valera’s motion for reconsideration. Even
before his motion for reconsideration was acted upon, however, respondent Valera
already filed with the Court of Appeals a special civil action for certiorari and
prohibition as he sought to nullify the Order of preventive suspension issued by
petitioner Special Prosecutor Villa-Ignacio. The appellate court then rendered the
assailed Decision setting aside the Order of preventive suspension and directing
petitioner Special Prosecutor Villa-Ignacio to desist from taking any further
action. Hence this petition. Issue: PRIVATE RESPONDENT’S PETITION FILED BEFORE THE
COURT A QUO SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISMISSED FOR VIOLATION OF THE RULE ON FORUM SHOPPING
or WON there was Forum Shopping in this case. YES. Ruling: Respondent Valera’s
alleged non-compliance with the rule on non-forum shopping when he filed the
petition for certiorari with the appellate court, the appellate court correctly
overlooked this procedural lapse. In this case, it was ruled that petitioner
Special Prosecutor Villa-Ignacio had no authority to issue a preventive suspension
order. Hence, the appellate court’s decision in relaxing the rule
17
powers.15 Petitioner was investigated by the Ombudsman for his possible criminal
liability for the acquisition of the Burbank property in violation of the Anti-
Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Revised Penal Code. For the same alleged
misconduct, petitioner, as a presidential appointee, was investigated by the PCAGC
by virtue of the administrative power and control of the President over him. As the
PCAGC’s investigation of petitioner was
placed under oath and was conveniently notarized in both cases at the RTC in Pasig
and at the NBI Issue: The core issue to be resolved here is whether respondent
Atty. Bernas transgressed Circular No. 28-91, Revised Circular No. 28-91, and
administrative Circular No. 04-94 on forum shopping. Ruling: There is forum-
shopping whenever, as a result of an adverse opinion in one forum, a party seeks a
favorable opinion (other than by appeal or certiorari) in another. Therefore, a
party to a case resort to forum shopping because “by filling another petition
involving the same essential facts and circumstances, xxx, respondents approached
two different for a in order to increase their chances of obtaining a favorable
decision or action, [4] In this case, there is no forum shopping to speak of Atty.
Bernas, merely requested the assistance of the NBI to investigate the the alleged
fraud and forgery committed by Mr. Jesus Cabarrus.[5] The filing of the civil case
for conveyance and damages before the
merely recommendatory.
crimes upon its own initiative and as public welfare may require. It renders
assistance when requested in the
18
Regional Trial Court of Pasig City does not preclude respondent to institute a
criminal action. The rule allows the filing of a civil case independently with the
criminal case without violating the circulars on forum shopping. #32 TOMAS G.
VELASQUEZ vs. HELEN B. HERNANDEZ, [G.R. No. 150732., August 31, 2004] CIVIL SERVICE
COMMISSION vs. HELEN B. HERNANDEZ, [G.R. No. 151095. August 31, 2004] By: Bianca
Cezar Facts: Petitioner Tomas G. Velasquez received a letter informing him of the
alleged infractions committed by respondent, Helen B. Hernandez, such as
soliciting, accepting, and receiving sums of money, in exchange for transfer or
promotion of complainant teachers. Acting on the letter, petitioner Velasquez
convened a fact-finding committee to determine the veracity of the alleged
violations of respondent and to render a formal report and
the withdrawal of Informations for direct bribery filed against respondent and de
la Cruz. After due proceedings, the CSC issued a Resolution finding respondent
guilty of the charges against her and ordering her dismissal from the service. The
appellate court however reversed the decision of the CSC saying that though the
cause of action in the CSC and the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman are distinct;
nevertheless, it said that in order to obviate the risk of violating the rule,
petitioners should have attached the certification against non-forum shopping.
Issue: WON the formal charge filed in the CSC should contain a certificate against
Forum Shopping? No. Ruling: Forum shopping consists of filing of multiple suits
involving the same parties for the same cause of action, either simultaneously or
successively, for the purpose of obtaining a favorable judgment.[5] It may also
consist in a party against whom an adverse judgment has been rendered in one forum,
seeking another and possibly favorable opinion in another forum other than by
appeal or special civil action of certiorari.[6] The most important factor in
determining the existence of forum shopping is the vexation caused the courts and
parties-litigants by a party who asks different courts to rule on the same or
related causes or grant the same or substantially the same reliefs. A party,
however, cannot be said to have sought to improve his chances of obtaining a
favorable decision or action where no unfavorable decision has ever been rendered
against him in any of the cases he has brought before the courts.[7] In not a few
cases, this Court has laid down the yardstick to determine whether a party violated
the rule against forum shopping as where the elements of litis pendentia are
19
present or where a final judgment in one case will amount to res judicata in the
other.[8] Stated differently, there must be between the two cases (a) identity of
parties; (b) identity of rights asserted and reliefs prayed for, the relief being
founded on the same facts; and (c) that the identity of the two preceding
particulars is such that any judgment rendered in the other action will, regardless
of which party is successful, amount to res judicata in the action under
consideration.[9] It is significant to note that the action filed before the CSCCAR
is administrative in nature, dealing as it does with the proper administrative
liability, if any, which may have been incurred by respondent for the commission of
the acts complained of. In stark contrast, the case filed before the Office of the
Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon, which incidentally was not initiated by herein
petitioners but by the complainant teachers, deals with the criminal
20
Retirement Law), the law amending CA 186(the GSIS Charter). Issue: WON COA abused
its discretion when it disallowed in audit petitioners’ claims for benefits under
SSS Res. 56? No. Ruling: It is clear from the clauses and provisions of Resolution
56 that its financial assistance plan constitutes a supplemental retirement/pension
benefits plan and Sec. 28 (b) of CA 186 as amended by RA 4968 in no uncertain terms
bars the creation of any insurance or retirement plan -- other than the GSIS -- for
government officers and employees. Though it may be disputed that Res 56 was
promulgated for laudable purposes, it simply cannot be tolerated for such reason
alone as the said Resolution clearly contravenes the
provision of law and is therefore invalid, void and of no effect. SSS had no
authority to maintain and implement such retirement plan, particularly in the face
of the statutory prohibition. The SSS cannot, in the guise of rule-making,
legislate or amend laws or worse, render them nugatory. It is doctrinal that in
case of conflict between a statute and an administrative order, the former must
prevail.[15] A rule or regulation must conform to and be consistent with the
provisions of the enabling statute in order for such rule or regulation to be
valid.[16] The rule-making power of a public administrative body is a delegated
legislative power, which it may not use either to abridge the authority given it by
the Congress or the Constitution or to enlarge its power beyond the scope intended.
Constitutional and statutory provisions control with respect to what rules and
regulations may be promulgated by such a body, as well as with respect to what
fields are subject to regulation by it. It may not make rules and regulations which
are inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution or a statute, particularly
the statute it is administering or which created it, or which are in derogation of,
or defeat, the purpose of a statute.
21
Due to the invalidity of Res. 56, it cannot be said that respondent COA abused its
discretion. #44 GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM (GSIS) vs. COMMISSION ON AUDIT
(COA), G.R. No. 162372, October 19, 2011 By: June Ylanan LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, J.:
Facts: On May 30, 1997, Republic Act No. 8291, otherwise known as "The Government
Service Insurance System Act of 1997" (the GSIS Act) was enacted and approved.
Pursuant to the powers granted to it under Section 41(n) of R.A. No. 8291 or the
GSIS Act of 1997, the GSIS Board of Trustees, approved Board Resolution No. 326
wherein they adopted the GSIS Employees Loyalty Incentive Plan (ELIP). The same
Board Resolution was later amended by Board Resolution No. 360. Dimagiba, the
corporate auditor of GSIS, communicated to the President and General Manager of
GSIS that the GSIS RFP was contrary to law. However, the GSIS Legal Services Group
opined that the GSIS Board was legally authorized to adopt the plan. Believing that
the GSIS RFP was "morally indefensible," Dimagiba sought the assistance of COA. In
response, COA’s General Counsel Alquizalas issued a Memorandum to COA Commissioner
Flores regarding the GSIS RFP. Alquizalas opined that the GSIS RFP is a
supplementary retirement plan, which is prohibited under Republic Act No. 4968, or
the "Teves Retirement Law," thus null and void for being violative of the said law;
and Section 41(n) of Republic Act No. 8291, which speaks of an early retirement
plan or financial assistance. In response, Commissioner Flores issued a Memorandum
which contains a disallowance in audit the portion of
retirement benefits granted under the GSIS RFP, or the excess of the benefits due
the retirees. Issue: WON the GSIS Retirement Financial Plan is valid, in light of
the GSIS Act of 1997, and the Government Service Insurance Act as amended by the
Teves Retirement Law. The GSIS Retirement/Financial Plan is Null and Void Ruling:
Section 41 (n) of R.A. 8291 provides that the GSIS shall exercise the power “to
design and adopt an Early Retirement Incentive Plan (ERIP) and/or financial
assistance for the purpose of retirement for its own personnel’ It is clear from
the foregoing that Section 41(n) of Republic Act No. 8291 contemplates a situation
wherein 1. GSIS, due to reorganization, streamlining of its organization, or some
other circumstance, which calls for the termination of some of its employees, 2.
must design a plan to encourage, induce, or motivate these employees, 3. who are
not yet qualified for either optional or compulsory retirement under our laws, 4.
to instead voluntarily retire. This is the very reason why under the law, the
retirement plan and financial assistance scheme to be adopted is in reality an
incentive scheme to encourage the employees to retire before their retirement age.
Such is not the case with the GSIS RFP. Its very objective, "[t]o motivate and
reward employees for meritorious, faithful, and satisfactory service," which falls
exactly within the purpose of a retirement benefit, which is a form of reward for
an employee’s loyalty and lengthy service, in order to help him or her enjoy the
remaining years of his life.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
22
Furthermore, to be able to apply for the GSIS RFP, one must be qualified to retire
under Republic Act No. 660 or Republic Act No. 8291, or must have previously
retired under our existing retirement laws. This only means that the employees
covered by the GSIS RFP were those who were already eligible to retire or had
already retired. Certainly, this is not included in the scope of "an early
retirement incentive plan or financial assistance for the purpose of retirement."
Without a doubt, the GSIS RFP is a supplementary retirement plan, which is
prohibited by the Teves Retirement Law. As the court held in the Conte case:
Section 28(b) [of C.A. No. 186] as amended by R.A. No. 4968 in no uncertain terms
bars the creation of any insurance or retirement plan – other than the GSIS – for
government officers and employees, in order to prevent the undue and inequitous
proliferation of such plans. The GSIS RFP was not created because of valid company
reorganization. Its purpose did not include the granting of benefits for early
retirement. Neither did it provide benefits for either voluntary or involuntary
separation from GSIS. It was intended for employees who were already eligible to
retire under existing retirement laws. While the GSIS may have been clothed with
authority to adopt an early retirement or financial assistance plan, such authority
was limited by the very law it was seeking to implement. Borrowing the words in the
Conte case, "it is beyond cavil that [the GSIS Retirement/Financial Plan]
contravenes [Section 28(b) of C.A. No. 186 as amended by R.A. No. 4968 or the Teves
Retirement Law], and is therefore invalid, void, and of no effect. To ignore this
and rule otherwise would be tantamount to permitting every other government office
or agency to put up its own supplementary retirement benefit plan under the guise
of such ‘financial assistance.”
Another compelling reason to nullify the GSIS RFP is that it allows, and in fact
mandates, the inclusion of the years in government service of previously retired
employees. To credit the years of service of GSIS retirees in their previous
government office into the computation of their retirement benefits under the GSIS
RFP, notwithstanding the fact that they had received or had been receiving the
retirement benefits under the applicable retirement law they retired in, would be
to countenance double
compensation for exactly the same services. Board Resolution Nos. 326, 360, and 6
are thus declared ILLEGAL, VOID, and OF NO EFFECT.
Retirement Benefit vs. Early Retirement Incentive Plan and Financial Assistance
under R.A. 8291 The purpose of a retirement benefit is to reward an employee’s
loyalty and lengthy sevice, in order to help him enjoy the remaining years of his
life. While the latter’s
purpose is to encourage the employees to retire before their retirement age. #45
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION vs. INTERPORT RESOURCES CORPORATION, G.R. No.
135808, October 6, 2008 By: June Ylanan DECISION CHICO-NAZARIO, J.: Facts: On 6
August 1994, the Board of Directors of IRC approved a Memorandum of Agreement with
Ganda Holdings Berhad (GHB). The SEC averred that it received reports that IRC
failed to make timely public disclosures of its negotiations with GHB and that some
of its directors, respondents herein, heavily traded IRC shares utilizing this
material insider information.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
23
Consequently, the SEC Chairman issued an Order finding that IRC violated the Rules
on Disclosure of Material Facts, when it failed to make timely disclosure of its
negotiations with GHB. In addition, the SEC pronounced that some of the officers
and directors of IRC entered into transactions involving IRC shares in violation of
Section 30, in relation to Section 36, of the Revised Securities Act. The
respondents in turn filed a petition before the Court of Appeals which promulgated
a Decision in favor of the IRC. It determined that there was no implementing rules
and regulations regarding disclosure, insider trading, or any of the provisions of
the Revised Securities Acts which the IRC allegedly violated. The CA likewise noted
that it found no statutory authority for the SEC to initiate and file any suit for
civil liability under Sections 8, 30 and 36 of the Revised Securities Act. Thus, it
ruled that no civil, criminal or administrative proceedings may possibly be held
against the respondents without violating their rights to due process and equal
protection. Issue: WON the SEC has no statutory authority to initiate and file any
suit against IRC and its directors with respect to Section 30 (INSIDER'S DUTY TO
DISCOLSED [sic] WHEN TRADING) and Section 36 (DIRECTORS OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL
STOCKHOLDERS) of the Revised Securities Act. The SEC has authority. Sections 8, 30
and 36 of the Revised Securities Act do not require the enactment of implementing
rules to make them binding and effective. Ruling: The Court of Appeals ruled that
absent any implementing rules for Sections 8, 30 and 36 of the Revised Securities
Act, no civil, criminal or administrative actions can possibly be had against the
respondents without violating their right to due process and equal protection. This
is untenable. In the absence of any constitutional or statutory infirmity, which
may concern Sections 30 and 36 of the Revised
Securities Act, this Court upholds these provisions as legal and binding. It is
well settled that every law has in its favor the presumption of validity. Unless
and until a specific provision of the law is declared invalid and unconstitutional,
the same is valid and binding for all intents and purposes. The mere absence of
implementing rules cannot effectively invalidate provisions of law, where a
reasonable
construction that will support the law may be given. The policy of the courts is to
avoid ruling on constitutional questions and to presume that the acts of the
political departments are valid in the absence of a clear and unmistakable showing
to the contrary. To doubt is to sustain. This presumption is based on the doctrine
of separation of powers which enjoins upon each department a becoming respect for
the acts of the other departments. The theory is that as the joint act of Congress
and the President of the Philippines, a law has been carefully studied and
determined to be in accordance with the fundamental law before it was finally
enacted. The necessity for vesting administrative authorities with power to make
rules and regulations is based on the impracticability of lawmakers' providing
general regulations for various and varying details of management. To rule that the
absence of implementing rules can render ineffective an act of Congress, such as
the Revised Securities Act, would empower the administrative bodies to defeat the
legislative will by delaying the implementing rules. To assert that a law is less
than a law, because it is made to depend on a future event or act, is to rob the
Legislature of the power to act wisely for the public welfare whenever a law is
passed relating to a state of affairs not yet developed, or to things future and
impossible to fully know. It is well established that administrative authorities
have the power to
promulgate rules and regulations to implement a given statute and to effectuate its
policies, provided such rules and regulations conform to the terms and standards
prescribed by the statute as well as purport to carry into effect its
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
24
departments, bureaus and offices." The same Section also mandates the President to
"ensure that the laws be faithfully executed." Certainly, under this constitutional
power of control the President can direct all government entities, in the exercise
of their functions under existing laws, to adopt a uniform ID data collection and
ID format to achieve savings, efficiency, reliability, compatibility, and
convenience to the public. The President’s constitutional power of control is self-
executing and does not need any implementing legislation. Of course, the
President’s power of control is limited to the Executive branch of government and
does not extend to the Judiciary or to the independent constitutional commissions.
Thus, EO 420 does not apply to the Judiciary, or to the COMELEC which under
existing laws is also authorized to issue voter’s ID cards. This only shows that EO
420 does not establish a national ID system because legislation is needed to
establish a single ID system that is compulsory for all branches of government. The
Constitution also mandates the President to ensure that the laws are faithfully
executed. There are several laws mandating government entities to reduce costs,
increase efficiency, and in general, improve public services. The adoption of a
uniform ID data collection and format under
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
25
citizens. EO 420 requires a very narrow and focused collection and recording of
personal data while safeguarding the confidentiality of such data. In fact, the
data collected and recorded under EO 420 are far less than the data collected and
recorded under the ID systems existing prior to EO 420. #47 REVIEW CENTER
ASSOCIATION OF THE
26
Ruling: The President has no inherent or delegated legislative power to amend the
functions of the CHED under RA 7722. Legislative power is the authority to make
laws and to alter or repeal them, and this power is vested with the Congress under
Section 1, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution. The line that delineates
Legislative and Executive power is not indistinct. Legislative power is "the
authority, under the Constitution, to make laws, and to alter and repeal them,” and
this power was vested in the Congress of the Philippines. Any power, deemed to be
legislative by usage and tradition, is necessarily possessed by Congress, unless
the Constitution has lodged it elsewhere. While Congress is vested with the power
to enact laws, the President executes the laws. The executive power is vested in
the President. It is generally defined as the power to enforce and administer laws.
It is the power of carrying the laws into practical operation and enforcing their
due observance. The president also exercises administrative power over bureaus and
offices under his control to enable him to discharge his duties effectively.
Administrative power is concerned with the work of applying policies and enforcing
orders. It enables the President to fix a uniform standard of administrative
efficiency and check the official conduct of his agents. To this end, he can issue
administrative orders, rules and regulations. An administrative order is an
ordinance issued by the President which relates to specific aspects in the
i e s u n d e r S e c t i o n 6 4 o f t h e R ev i s e d A d ministrative Code, 1
the President of t he Philippines created the Presidential Agency on Reforms and
Government Op erations (PARGO) under Executive O rd er No. 4 of January 7, 1966,
charging it with the responsibility of investigatin g cases of graft and
corruption. For a realistic performance of these f unctions, the President vested
in the Agency all the powers of an investigati ng committee under Secti ons 71 and
58 0 of the Revised Administrative Code, including the power to summon witnes
27
ses by subpoena or subpoena duces tec um, administer oaths, take testimony o r
evidence relevant to the investigatio n.
stigations are useful for all administra tive functions, not only for rule makin g,
adjudication, and licensing, but als o for prosecuting, for supervising and
directing, for determining general poli cy, for recommending, legislation, and
for purposes no more specific than illu minating obscure areas to find out wha t if
anything should be done. An admin istrative agency may be authorized to make
investigations, not only in proce edings of a legislative or judicial natu re, but
also in proceedings whose sole purpose is to obtain information upon which future
action of a legislative or judicial nature may be taken and may r equire the
attendance of witnesses in proceedings of a purely investigatory nature. It may
conduct general inquiri es into evils calling for correction, an d to report
findings to appropriate bo dies and make recommendations for ac tions.
Petitioner Agency draws its subpoena power from Executive Order No. 4, par ISSUE:
Whether or not PARGO enjoys t he authority to issue subpoenas in its conduct of
fact finding investigations a. 5 which, in an effectuating mood, e mpowered it to
"summon witness, admi nister oaths, and take testimony relev ant to the
investigation" with the auth ority "to require the production of doc RULING: uments
under a subpoena duces tecum or otherwise, subject in all respects to It has been
essayed that the life blood of the administrative process is the fl ow of fact, the
gathering, the organiza tion and the analysis of evidence. Inve the same
restrictions and qualification s as apply in judicial proceedings of a similar
character."
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
28
To hold that the subpoena power of th e agency is confined to mere quasi -jud icial
or adjudicatory functions would t herefore imperil or inactivate the agen cy in its
investigatory functions. More than that, the enabling authority itsel f (Executive
Order No. 4, para. 5) fixe s no distinction when and in what func tion should the
subpoena power be exe rcised. Similarly, The court sees no re ason to depart from
the established ru le that forbids differentiation when th e law itself makes none.
administrative body, it, too may take s teps to inform itself as to whether the re
is probable violation of the law. In sum, it may be stated that a subpoena meets
the requirements for enforcemen t if the inquiry is (1) within the autho rity of
the agency; (2) the demand is n ot too indefinite; and (3) the informat ion is
reasonably relevant.
29
for determining its date of effectivity, which is the fifteenth day following its
publication-but not when the law itself provides for the date when it goes into
effect. Respondents' argument, however, is logically correct only insofar as it
equates the effectivity of laws with the fact of publication. Considered in the
light of other statutes applicable to the issue at hand, the conclusion is easily
reached that said Article 2 does not preclude the requirement of publication in the
Official Gazette, even if the law itself provides for the date of its effectivity.
The clear object of the above-quoted provision is to give the general public
adequate notice of the various laws which are to regulate their actions and conduct
as citizens. Without such notice and publication, there would be no basis for the
application of the maxim "ignorantia legis non excusat." It would be the height of
injustice to punish or otherwise burden a citizen for the transgression of a law of
which he had no notice whatsoever, not even a constructive one. The publication of
all presidential issuances "of a public nature" or "of general applicability" is
mandated by law. Obviously, presidential decrees that provide for fines,
forfeitures or penalties for their violation or otherwise impose a burden or. the
people, such as tax and revenue measures, fall within this category. Other
presidential issuances which apply only to particular persons or class of persons
such as administrative and executive orders need not be published on the assumption
that they have been circularized to all concerned. It is needless to add that the
publication of presidential issuances "of a public nature" or "of general
applicability" is a requirement of due process. #55 GSIS vs. COA By: Bembem Sarno
FACTS:
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
30
In November 1936, Congress enacted Commonwealth Act No. 186, creating the
Government Service Insurance System (hereafter GSIS) to provide insurance coverage
and retirement benefits to government officials and employees, replacing the
existing pension systems established in prior laws. Sec. 4 ofCom. Act No. 186
provided that:
resolution (No. 566) of the GSIS board of trustees adopted on December 11, 1987,
which was after the death of Gen. Asuncion. ISSUE: WON the heirs of Asuncion are
entitled to receive the GSIS benefits HELD:
31
The optional insurance policy referred to, however, is distinct from the compulsory
coverage membership in the GSIS. The optional insurance policy was issued on the
basis of a voluntary application under existing regulations and lapsed in April,
1984, due to non- payment of premiums. On the other hand, qualified reserve
officers were covered by compulsory membership in the GSIS under Executive Order
No. 79 effective on January 07, 1987, regardless of whether or not the premiums
were paid. Of course, the unpaid premiums, if any, may be deducted from the
proceeds of the policy.
10). Paragraph 5.6 of DBM- CCC No. 10 discontinued effective November 1, 1989, all
allowances and fringe benefits granted on top of basic salary, not otherwise
enumerated under paragraphs 5.4 and 5.5 thereof. Affected PITC employees filed an
appeal before the COA but the latter denied such appeal. ISSUE: WON DBM-CCC No. 10
is valid and enforceable HELD: NO. DBM-CCC No. 10 which was issued by the DBM
#56
PHILIPPINE
INTERNATIONAL
TRADING
CORPORATION VS. COMMISSION ON AUDIT By: Bembem Sarno FACTS: PITC is GOCC created
under Presidential Decree (PD) No. 252 primarily for the purpose of promoting and
developing Philippine trade in pursuance of national economic development. In 1988,
the BOD approved a Car Plan Program for qualified PITC officers. Under such car
plan program, among others, includes that an eligible officer is entitled to
purchase a vehicle, fifty percent (50%) of the value of which shall be shouldered
by PITC while the remaining fifty percent (50%) will be shouldered by the officer
through salary deduction over a period of five (5) years. In 1989, Republic Act No.
6758 (RA 6758), entitled "An Act Prescribing a Revised Compensation and Position
Classification System in the Government and For Other Purposes", took effect.
Section 12 of said law provides for the consolidation of allowances and additional
compensation into standardized salary rates save for certain additional
compensation such as representation and transportation allowances which were
exempted from consolidation into the standardized rate. To implement RA 6758, the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) issued Corporate Compensation Circular
No. 10 (DBM-CCC No.
32
a decision in favor of the private respondents. As both elt aggrieved by the said
POEA Decision, petitioner and private respondents filed separate appeals from the
August 31, 1988 POEA Decision to the NLRC. • NLRC modified the appealed decision of
the POEA
August 31, 1988 decision of the POEA on private respondents’ money claims, the POEA
issued a separate Order dated August 29, 1988 resolving the recruitment violations
aspect of private respondents’ complaint. In this Order, the POEA found petitioner
guilty of illegal exaction, contract substitution, and unlawful deduction. •
Accordingly, Philsa is ordered to refund the
33
exaction as POEA Memorandum Circular No. II, Series of 1983 is void for lack of
publication. 2. Whether the administrative circular is not among
Held: On the first issue. In Tañada vs. Tuvera, the Court held, as follows: “We
hold therefore that all statutes, including those of local application and private
laws, shall be published as a condition for their effectivity, which shall begin
fifteen days after publication unless a different effectivity date is fixed by the
legislature. Covered by this rule are presidential decrees and executive orders
promulgated by the President in the exercise of legislative powers whenever the
same are validly delegated by the legislature or, at present, directly conferred by
the Constitution. Administrative rules and regulations must
delegation. Considering that POEA Administrative Circular No. 2, Series of 1983 has
not as yet been published or filed with the National Administrative Register, the
same is ineffective and may not be enforced. On the second issue: The fact that the
said circular is addressed only to a specified group, namely private employment
agencies or authority holders, does not take it away from the ambit of our ruling
in Tañada vs. Tuvera. Association of Service In the case of Phil. vs. Torres, the
Exporters
34
• that: o
Honasan arrived with Capt. Turinga to hold the NRP meeting where they concluded the
use of force, violence and armed struggle to achieve the vision of NRP where a
junta will be constituted which will run the new government. They had a blood
compact and that he only participated due to the threat made by Senator Honasan
when he said “Kung kaya nating pumatay sa ating mga kalaban, kaya din nating
pumatay sa mga kasamahang magtataksil.” o July 27, 2003: He saw on TV that
Lieutenant Antonio
Trillanes, Captain Gerardo Gambala, Captain Alejano and some others who were
present during the NRP meeting he attended, having a press conference about their
occupation of the Oakwood Hotel. He saw that the letter "I" on the arm bands and
the banner is the same letter "I" in the banner is the same as their blood compact
wound. • August 27, 2003: Senator Honasan appeared with
military personnel who occupied Oakwood and Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, II o
On or about 11 p.m. June 4,2003: A meeting was held and presided by Senator Honasan
in a house located in San Juan, Metro Manila
should be handled by the Office of the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan • Senator
Honasan then filed a petition for certiorari
under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court against the DOJ Panel and its members, CIDG-
PNP-P/Director Eduardo Matillano and Ombudsman Simeon V. Marcelo, attributing grave
abuse of discretion on the part of the DOJ Panel in issuing the aforequoted Order
of September 10, 2003 directing him to file his respective counter-affidavits and
controverting evidence on the ground that the DOJ has no jurisdiction to conduct
the preliminary investigation Issues:
in behalf of the military rebels occupying Oakwood, made a public statement aired
on national television, stating their withdrawal of support to the chain of command
of the AFP and the Government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Willing to risk
their lives to achieve the National Recovery Agenda (NRA) of Senator Honasan which
they believe is the only program that would solve the ills of society.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
35
Whether in regards to Ombudsman-DOJ Circular no. 95001, the office of the Ombudsman
should deputize the prosecutors of the DOJ to conduct the preliminary
investigation. Whether the Ombudsman-DOJ Joint Circular no. 95-001 is ineffective
on the ground that it was not published Whether the Ombudsman has jurisdiction to
conduct the preliminary investigation because the petitioner is a public officer
with salary grade 31 (Grade 27 or Higher) thereby falling within the jurisdiction
of the Sandigan Bayan. Held: Wherefore, the petition for certiorari is DISMISSED
for lack of merit 1. No.
jurisdiction at any stage of the investigation. 2. • No. In the case of People vs.
Que Po Lay, 94 Phil. 640
Ombudsman cases involving criminal offenses may be subdivided into two classes, to
wit: (1) those cognizable by the Sandiganbayan, and (2) those falling under the
jurisdiction of the regular courts. The difference between the two, aside from the
category of the courts wherein they are filed, is on the authority to investigate
as distinguished from the authority to prosecute
(1954). The only circulars and regulations which prescribe a penalty for its
violation should be published before becoming effective. • In the case of Taňada V.
Tuvera, 146 Scra 453 (1986),
The Honorable Court rules that: o Interpretative regulations and those merely
internal in
nature, that is regulating only the personnel of the administrative agency and not
the public, need not be published. Neither is publication required of the so called
letters of instructions issued by the administrative superiors concerning the rules
on guidelines to be followed by their subordinates in performance of their duties.
OMB-DOJ Joint Circulars no. 95-001 is merely an internal circular between the DOJ
and the office of the Ombudsman, Outlining authority and responsibilities among
prosecutors of the DOJ and of the office of the Ombudsman in the conduct of
preliminary investigation. It does not regulate the conduct of persons or the
public, in general.
36
3.
He contended that their school is located in the rural area where no banks are
operating, such that it has been the practice of teachers to authorize the
principal to claim, receive and encash the checks in their behalf. He explained
that complainants did not receive the entire amount of P312.00 because they
authorized the E and E Lending Investors to deduct certain amounts from their
checks as payment for their respective loans. As for the Loyalty Benefits,
respondent alleged that complainants received the
jurisdiction or not will not resolve the present petition so as not to pre-empt the
result of the investigation conducted by the DOJ Panel. REQUIREMENT OF
ADMINISTRATIVE DUE PROCESS #63 Alcala vs. School Principal Villar By: Mae Bungabong
Facts: Respondent Jovencio D. Villar is the School Principal of Lanao National High
School, Pilar, Cebu City.
entire amount due them and that he deducted nothing therefrom. He asserted that the
real reason behind the filing of the complaint was to force him to resign so that
one of the complainants could apply for his post. Perla Alcala et. al., filed with
the Office of the
Ombudsman
an
administrative
complaint
against On June 22, 1999, the Office of the Ombudsman issued a resolution finding
respondent guilty of dishonesty and dismissing him from service.
Hence, this petition. Issue: Whether or not Office of the Ombudsman amply
Villar claimed that he was in fact authorized by the complainants to claim and
encash their checks at the E and E Lending Investors where most of them have
existing loans.
afforded Villar due process in administrative proceedings which set aside the
jurisdictional infirmities raised by Villar before the CA.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
37
Held: Yes, it has. Reason: Since respondent was amply afforded due process in an
administrative proceeding, the essence of which is an opportunity to explain one’s
side or an opportunity to seek reconsideration of the action or ruling complained
of. Not only did respondent file a counter-affidavit and a motion for
reconsideration, he also participated in the hearings conducted by the Office of
the Ombudsman and was given the opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses against
him. Verily, participation in the administrative proceedings without raising any
objection thereto amounts to a waiver of jurisdictional infirmities.
dismissing the complaint for lack of substantial evidence but upon review, and with
the approval of the Ombudsman, petitioner was found guilty of grave misconduct and
meted the penalty of dismissal, with forfeiture of material benefits. Petitioner is
that he was deprived of his right to administrative due process when he was
dismissed from service without substantial evidence and without
In the same vein, respondent in this case should be barred under the principle of
estoppel by laches from assailing the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman. Therefore, the
Court of Appeals should have resolved the appeal on its merits, considering that
respondent’s right to procedural due process was properly observed.
Ombudsman that there was another existing administrative case at the time the
proceedings in the Ombudsman was on-going. Petitioner’s participation in the
administrative proceedings without raising any objection bars the parties from
raising any jurisdictional infirmity after an adverse decision is rendered against
them.
#64
MANUEL
LAXINA
vs.
OFFICE
OF
THE
38
filed a sworn letter-complaint before the OMB for Luzon charging her superior–
herein respondent, Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of the school and concurrently the
principal of San Pedro Relocation Center National High School in San Pedro, Laguna,
with (1) violation of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 and (2) grave
misconduct. Medrano allegedly made sexual advances on Ma. Ruby and abused her
sexually. The OMB found petitioner guilty and imposed the penalty of dismissal.
Medrano contends that under the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, his case
should be heard by an investigating committee of the DepEd. ISSUE: Whether or not
OMB has jurisdiction over Medrano’s case. RULING: The Ombudsman Act of 1989
recognizes the existence of some "proper disciplinary authorit[ies]," such as the
investigating committee of the DepEd mentioned in Section 9 of the Magna Carta for
Public School Teachers. Thus, Section 23 of The Ombudsman Act of 1989 directs that
the petitioner "may refer certain complaints to the proper disciplinary authority
for the institution of
By: Liz Tuballa Facts: Florita A. Masing and Jocelyn A. Tayactac, the principal and
office clerk respectively, of Davao City Integrated Special School were
administratively charged before the OMB for Mindanao for allegedly collecting
unauthorized fees, failing to remit authorized fees and to account for public
funds. Respondent Masing contended that she may be
supervisor of the Division, the last two to be designated by the Director of Public
Schools. The Committee shall submit its findings, and recommendations to the
Director of Public Schools within thirty days from the termination of the hearings;
Provided, however, That where the school
39
Whether or not public school teachers pursuant to the ruling in Fabella v. Court of
Appeals can only be proceeded against administratively through the “committee”
under section 9 of RA No. 4670.
Ruling: The SC ruled that Fabella, however, does not apply to the cases at bar. The
public schoolteachers in Fabella were charged with violations of civil service
laws, rules and regulations in administrative proceedings initiated by the DECS
Secretary. In the case at bar, respondents Masing and Tayactac were
administratively charged in letter-complaints duly filed before the Office of the
Ombudsman
ascertainment of facts; (5) Are in the exercise of discretionary powers but for an
improper purpose; or (6) Are otherwise irregular, justification. Section 23(1) of
the same law provides that administrative investigations conducted by the Office of
the Ombudsman shall be in accordance with its rules of procedure and consistent
with due process. It is erroneous, therefore, for respondents to contend that R.A.
No. 4670 confers an exclusive disciplinary authority on the DECS over public school
teachers and prescribes an exclusive procedure in administrative investigations
immoral or devoid of
for Mindanao. The charges were for violations of R.A. No. 6713, otherwise known as
the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees,
collecting unauthorized fees, failure to remit authorized fees, failure to account
for public funds, oppression, serious misconduct, discourtesy in the conduct of
official duties, and physical or mental incapacity or disability due to immoral or
vicious habits. In short, the acts and omissions complained of relate to
respondents’ conduct as public official and employee, if not to outright graft and
corruption. Further, the SC ruled that the authority of the Office of the Ombudsman
to conduct administrative investigations is beyond cavil. As the principal and
involving them. #68 CEFERINO PADUA vs. HON. SANTIAGO RANADA, G.R. No. 141949,
October 14, 2002 By: Bianca Cezar (Please See Case #19 Under Toll Regulatory Board
Topic) #69 DOH vs Camposano By: Liz Tuballa Facts: A complaint was filed before the
DOH resident
primary complaints and action center against erring public officers and employees,
it is mandated by no less than Section 13(1), Article XI of the Constitution. In
conjunction therewith, Section 19 of R.A. No. 6770 grants to the Ombudsman the
authority to act on all administrative complaints, viz: Sec. 19. Administrative
complaints.— The Ombudsman shall act on all complaints relating, but not limited,
to acts or omissions which: (1) Are contrary to law or regulation;
administrative
against
respondents
dishonesty and gave misconduct.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
40
Respondents argue that the PCAGC did not have The Secretary of Health filed a
formal charge against the respondents and their co-respondents for Grave
jurisdiction over them, because they were not presidential appointees. The Court
ruled that the investigation was authorized under Administrative Order No. 298
which created an Ad Hoc Committee to look into the administrative charges filed and
not investigated pursuant to EO 151. The Committee was directed by AO 298 to
“follow the procedure prescribed under Section 38 to 40 of the Civil Service Law
(PD 807), as amended. The SC held that, the Chief Executive’s power to create the
Ad Hoc Investigating Committee cannot be doubted. With AO 298 as mandate, the
legality of the investigation is sustained. Such validity is not affected by the
fact that the President Ramos also found the respondents guilty and recommended the
case to the DOH Secretary for appropriate action. The DOH Secretary subsequently
ordered the dismissal of the respondents. Issue: Whether or not the PCAGC has
jurisdiction to investigate the case. Ruling: The SC held that the PCAGC has
jurisdiction to investigate the case. Executive Order (EO) No. 151 granted the
PCAGC the jurisdiction to investigate administrative complaints against
presidential appointees allegedly involved in graft and corruption. charges EO 151
authorizes the PCAGC to investigate presidential, not non-presidential,
investigating team and the PCAGC had the same composition, or that the former used
the offices and facilities of the latter in conducting the inquiry. On the matter
of administrative procedure, the SC held that the department secretary may utilize
other officials to investigate and report the facts from which a decision may be
based. In the case at bar, the secretary effectively delegated the power to
investigate to the PCAGC. Neither the PCAGC under EO 151 nor the Ad Hoc
Investigating Committee created under AO 298 had the power to impose any
administrative sanctions directly. The power to impose sanctions belonged to the
disciplining authority, who had to observe due process prior to imposing penalties.
Due process in administrative proceedings requires
against
compliance with the following cardinal principles: (1) the respondents’ right to a
hearing, which includes the right to present one’s case and submit supporting
evidence, must be observed; (2) the tribunal must consider the evidence presented;
(3) the decision must have some basis to support itself;
appointees.
41
(4) there must be substantial evidence; (5) the decision must be rendered on the
evidence presented at the hearing, or at least contained in the record and
disclosed to the parties affected; (6) in arriving at a decision, the tribunal must
have acted on its own consideration of the law and the facts of the controversy and
must not have simply accepted the views of a subordinate; and 7) the decision must
be rendered in such manner that respondents would know the reasons for it and the
various issues involved.
#70 Malinao vs Reyes By: Liz Tuballa Facts: Petitioner Virginia Malinao is Human
Resource Manager III of Sta. Cruz, Marinduque. Respondent Mayor Wilfredo Red filed
a case against her in the Office of the Ombudsman for gross neglect of duty,
inefficiency and incompetence. While the case was pending, he appointed a
replacement for petitioner. Petitioner Malinao filed an administrative case,
against respondent Mayor in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Marinduque, charging
him with abuse of authority and denial of due process. Subsequently, the case was
taken up in executive session of the Sanggunian. The Sanggunian, by the vote of 5
to 3 of its members, found respondent Mayor guilty of the charge. The result of the
voting was embodied in a “Decision” signed by only one member of the Sanggunian,
who did so as “Presiding Chairman, Blue Ribbon Committee.” Respondent Mayor filed a
manifestation before the Sanggunian, questioning the “Decision” on the ground that
it was signed by only one member. He contended that the
Whether or not the first “Decision” has become final and executory for failure of
respondent Mayor to appeal. Whether or not the second Sanggunian “Decision” which
in effect reversed the first decision is valid. Ruling: The SC found the
petitioner’s contention to be without merit. In order to render a decision in
administrative cases involving elective local officials, the decision of the
Sanggunian must be “in writing stating clearly and distinctly the facts and the
reasons for such decision.” The SC ruled that what the Sanggunian, did during the
executive session was not to render a decision. Neither may the so-called
“Decision” prepared by
Sanggunian Member and Presiding Chairman of the blue ribbon Committee be regarded
as the decision of the Sanggunian for lack of the signatures of the requisite
majority. The voting following the deliberation of the
members of the Sanggunian did not necessarily constitute their decision unless this
was embodied in an opinion prepared by one of them and concurred in by the others.
The Sanggunian, at its session on October 21, 1994, took another vote and, 7 to 2,
decided to dismiss the case against
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
42
respondent Mayor.
Issue: WON CSC has original jurisdiction to institute the administrative case
against respondent. Held: It is true that Section 47 (2), Title 1 (A), Book V of EO
No. 292 gives the heads of government over their offices own
writing, stating the facts and the law on which it was based, and it was signed by
the members taking part in the decision. This, according to the SC, is the decision
of the Sanggunian. The SC ruled that no notice of the session by the Sanggunian is
required to be given to the petitioner since the deliberation of the Sanggunian is
an internal matter. DUE PROCESS IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS #74 CSC vs. Albao 472
SCRA 548 G.R. No. 155784 October 13, 2005
Office, Manila, the Office of the Vice President requested the retrieval of the
said appointment paper. Instead of heeding the request, petitioner CSC-NCR
disapproved the appointment. Thereafter, petitioner CSC issued an Order holding
that it has found, after a fact-finding investigation, that a prima facie case
exists against respondent Albao for Dishonesty and Falsification of Official
Documents (He stated in his PDS that he took and passed the Assistant Electrical
Engineer Examination with a rating of 71.64%; supported by report of rating
purportedly issued by PRC. However, PRC informed CSC that the name of respondent
does not appear on the masterlist of examinees.) Respondent questions the
jurisdiction of the CSC over the administrative case.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
43
Therefore petitioner is vested with the power to institute motu proprio the
administrative proceedings against respondent for alleged falsification of
eligibility committed by respondent in connection with his appointment to a
permanent position in the Office of the Vice President. #75 Zambales Chromite
Mining Co. vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. L-49711, November 7, 1979
In this case, the petitioners were deprived of due process, which means fundamental
fairness, when Secretary Gozon reviewed his own decision as Director of Mines. #76
SINGSON, vs. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS
By: Bianca Cezar Facts: Secretary Gozon while he was still the director of mines
dismissed the case filed by herein petitioner Zambales Chromite Mining which sought
to have the petitioner declared as the rightful and prior locator of certain mining
claims. The said decision was appealed to the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural
Resources. While the appeal was pending, Gozon was appointed as Secretary of
Agriculture and Natural Resources. Instead of inhibiting himself from exercising
appellate jurisdiction over a case which he had decided as Director of mines, he
consequently affirmed the said decision. The decision of Gozon as Secretary was
then assailed by Zambales but the RTC dismissed such on the basis that
disqualification of a judge to review his own decision under the rules of court
does not apply to administrative proceedings.
COMMISSION and PAL, G.R. No. 122389, June 19, 1997 By: Bianca Cezar Facts: Miguel
Singson lodged a complaint against PAL for illegal dismissal. Then Labor Arbiter
Raul Aquino declared
part,
namely,
Commissioners
Calaycay and Rayala, denied the motion. Issue: WON Singson was deprived of due
process on account of Raul T. Aquino’s participation as commissioner of the 2nd
division of the NLRC in reviewing his own decision as a
Issue: WON Gozon validly decided on a case on his appellate jurisdiction which he
also had decided while he was still Director of Mines. No. Ruling: It was void. The
rationale behind it is the same as the prohibition of a judge which was later on
promoted to the CA to decide in its appellate jurisdiction a decision he made as a
trial judge. There can be no real review of the case as
44
reconsideration commissioners
of and
the
petitioner the
was
denied
by of
without
participation
In the case of Ang Tibay v. Court of Industrial Relations, 7 we laid down the
requisites of procedural due process in administrative proceedings, to wit: (1) the
right to a hearing, which includes the right to present one's case and submit
evidence in support thereof; (2) the tribunal must consider the evidence presented;
(3) the decision must have something to support itself; (4) the evidence must be
substantial; (5) the decision must be based on the evidence presented at the
hearing, or at least contained in the record and disclosed to the parties affected;
(6) the tribunal or body or any of its judges must act on its own independent
consideration of the law and facts of the controversy, and not simply accept the
views of a subordinate;
It is self-evident from the ruling case law that the officer who reviews a case on
appeal should not be the same person whose decision is the subject of review. Thus,
we have ruled that "the reviewing officer must perforce be other than the officer
whose decision is under review.
#84 UP BOARD OF REGENTS vs. HON. COURT OF APPEALS , G.R. No. 134625, August 31,
1999 By: Bianca Cezar (Please See Case #25 Under Quasi-Judicial Power Topic) #85
NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION (NAPOCOR) vs. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, G.R.
Nos. 90933-61 May 29, 1997 By: Bianca Cezar Facts:
(7) the Board or body should, in all controversial questions, render its decision
in such manner that the parties to the proceeding can know the various issues
involved, and the reason for the decision rendered. In addition, administrative due
process includes Pursuant to PCI's sub-contract with Westinghouse, over six (a) the
right to notice, be it actual or constructive, of the institution of the
proceedings that may affect a person's legal right; (b) reasonable opportunity to
appear and defend his rights and to introduce witnesses and relevant evidence in
his favor; thousand workers were hired to undertake the civil works for the Bataan
Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). After the completion of certain phases of work at the
power plant, the services of the workers were terminated. The dismissed employees
did not receive any separation pay. As a consequence, cases for illegal dismissal
and nonpayment of benefits were filed before the Labor Arbiter against PCI. NAPOCOR
entered into an agreement with Westinghouse as principal contractor and Power
Contractors Inc. (PCI) as sub-contractor for the construction of the power plant in
Morong, Bataan.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
45
On 1986, the Labor Arbiter ordered NAPOCOR and Westinghouse impleaded as additional
parties-respondents. Copies of said Order were served on counsel for respondent
workers and counsel for respondent PCI but not on respondent Westinghouse. A copy
of the Order requiring the parties to submit their memoranda was served on the
ACCRA Law Firm, purportedly the counsel for Westinghouse. The law firm, however,
promptly filed a Manifestation stating that it did not enter its appearance as
counsel for Westinghouse in the consolidated cases.7 The Office of the Solicitor
General (OSG) entered its appearance in the cases as counsel for NAPOCOR. During
the proceedings, however, Atty. Restituto O. Mallo represented NAPOCOR as the
deputized Special-Attorney of OSG. On December 29, 1988, the Labor Arbiter rendered
its decision, which held that NAPOCOR, PCI and Westinghose jointly and severally
liable for the adjudged separation pay and money claims. A copy of the decision was
served on NAPOCOR through the deputized special attorney who received the same on
January 18, 1989. The OSG however, was not served with a copy of the Labor
Arbiter's decision. The ACCRA Law Office, having likewise received a copy of the
decision, again filed a Manifestation that it never entered its appearance as
counsel for Westinghouse. NAPOCOR then filed its appeal memorandum only on February
22, 1989. The Labor Arbiter on the otherhand denied due course of such for being
filed out of time. Undaunted, the OSG filed a Notice of Appeal and Appeal
memorandum questioning thedenial on the ground that the OSG was not served a copy
of the 12.29.1989 decision. The OSG further alleged that the Appeal filed on
02.22.1989 was filed on time. Issue :
The first issue raised by petitioner revolves around the service of the Labor
Arbiter's decision on the special attorney and not on the OSG. Petitioner alleges
that it was denied due process because its counsel, the OSG, was not served a copy
of the said decision. It thus claims that the period to appeal did not commence to
run because the decision was never served on the OSG. Hence, petitioner's appeal
memoranda filed by the special attorney on February 22, 1989 and by the OSG on July
17, 1989 were filed seasonably. The petition has merit. Ruling: The lawyer
deputized and designated as "special attorneyOSG" is a mere representative of the
OSG and the latter retains supervision and control over the deputized lawyer. The
OSG continues to be the principal counsel for the National Power Corporation, and
as such, the Solicitor General is the party entitled to be furnished copies of
orders, notices and decisions. The deputized special attorney has no legal
authority to decide whether or not an appeal should be made. 25 As a consequence,
copies of orders and decisions served on the deputized counsel, acting as agent or
representative of the Solicitor General, are not binding until they are actually
received by the latter. It has been likewise consistently held that the proper
basis for computing the reglementary period to file an appeal and for determining
whether a decision had attained finality is service on the OSG. 27 In the present
controversy, only the special attorney was served with a copy of the decision of
the Labor Arbiter. Since service of said decision was never made on the OSG, the
period to appeal the decision to the NLRC did not commence to run. Hence, the
appeal memorandum filed by the OSG on July 17, 1989 was not filed belatedly. #86
Lincoln Gerard, Inc. vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 85295, July 23, 1990 By: Bianca Cezar
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
46
Facts: Alfonso Balignasay was employed in the petitioner’s furniture factory. When
Balignasay was dismissed, he filed a complaint for illegal dismissal and on October
1987, the labor arbiter decided on Balignasay’s favor. A copy of the decision was
received by the petitioner’s counsel on December 1987. On August 1988 however, the
petitioner through its new counsel filed an unverified petition for relief of
judgment alleging that it was denied due proess because it was not furnished a copy
of the Labor Arbiter’s decision, and that its former counsel failed to inform it
about the decision.
Facts: On 1991, A Professional Board Examination for Teachers (PBET) was held in
Davao City. A certain Evelyn Junio-Decir applied for and took the examination and
passed the said examination. At the time of the PBET examinations, petitioner Sarah
P. Ampong (nee Navarra) and Decir were public school teachers. Later, Ampong
transferred to the Regional Trial Court where she was appointed as Court
Interpreter III. On July 1994 however, it was discovered by the Civil Service
Regional Office that it was petitioner Ampong who took and passed the examinations
under the name Evelyn Decir. The CSRO after conducting a preliminary investigation,
Issue: WON the petitioner was denied due process because the decision of the Labor
Arbiter was served upon its former counsel who did not inform it about the adverse
decision. No.
determined the existence of a prima facie case against Decir and Ampong for
Dishonesty, Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the
Service and so a case was formally filed against them. Even before filing an
Answer, petitioner Ampong voluntarily appeared at the CSRO and admitted to the
wrongdoing. When reminded that she may avail herself of the services of
Ruling: Well-settled is the rule that when a party appears by counsel in an action
in court or administrative body, all notices required to be given must be served to
the counsel and not to the client, for the rule is that notice to the counsel is
notice to the client. In the present case, records show that the petitioner’s
former counsel did not withdraw its appearance; hence, service of a copy of the
decision on the law firm was valid. Furthermore, the petitioner may not complain of
lack of due process because the negligence of its counsel does not constitute a
denial of due process.
counsel, petitioner voluntarily waived said right. On March 1996, the CSC found
petitioner Ampong and Decir guilty of dishonesty, dismissing them from the service.
Hence the present case where Ampong assails her confession, arguing that it was
given without aid of counsel. Contending further that in police custodial
investigations, the assistance of counsel is necessary in order for an
extrajudicial confession to be made admissible in evidence against the accused in a
criminal complaint. If assistance was waived, the waiver should have been made with
the assistance of counsel. Issue:
#89
SARAH
P.
AMPONG
vs.
CIVIL
SERVICE
47
counsel. On the second hearing date, he moved for its resetting to enable him to
employ the services of counsel. The committee granted the motion, but neither
Lumiqued nor his counsel appeared on the date he himself had chosen, so the
committee deemed the case submitted for resolution. On August 1992, Lumiqued filed
an urgent motion for additional hearing, alleging that he suffered a stroke which
constrained him from attending the hearing. It was however determined that the
counter-affidavit submitted together with the documentary evidence thereto is
already sufficient such that a judicious determination of the case based on the
pleadings submitted is already possible. Hence, following the conclusion of the
hearings, the investigating committee rendered a report finding
Lumiqued liable for all the charges against him which led to the issuance of AO No.
52 which dismissed Lumiqued from the service with forfeiture of his retirement and
other benefits. Hence the present case. The petitioners fault the investigating
committee for its failure to inform Lumiqued of his right to counsel during the
hearing. They maintain that his right to counsel could not be waived unless the
waiver was in writing and in the presence of counsel. They assert that the
committee should have suspended the hearing and granted Lumiqued a reasonable time
within which to secure a counsel of his own. If suspension was not possible, the
committee should have appointed a counsel de oficio to assist him. Issue: WON
assistance of a counsel is an indispensable right during an investigation for the
purpose of determining if Lumiqued can be held administratively liable. No. Ruling:
then The right to counsel, which cannot be waived unless the waiver is in writing
and in the presence of counsel, is a right
Administrative Order No. 52 dated May 12, 1993. In view of Lumiqued's death, his
heirs instituted this petition for certiorari and mandamus, questioning such order.
The dismissal was the aftermath of three complaints filed against Lumiqued charging
him with malversation through falsification of official documents, violation of
Commission on Audit (COA) rules and regulations "by deliberately concealing his
unliquidated cash advances through the falsification of accounting entries and
oppression and harassment. The investigating committee accordingly issued a
subpoena directing Lumiqued to submit his counter-affidavit.
48
#91 VIRGILIO MAQUILAN, VS. DITA MAQUILAN, G.R. NO. 155409, JUNE 8, 2007 By: Bianca
Cezar Facts: Virgilio Maquilan and private respondent Dita Maquilan are spouses who
had once had a blissful married life. However, when Virgilio discovered that Dita
was having an illicit sexual affair, he filed a case of adultery against her and
her paramour. Consequently, both Dita and her paramour were convicted and were
sentenced to suffer imprisonment. Thereafter, Virgilio filed a petition for
Declaration of Nullity of Marriage and during the pretrial of the said case,
Virgilio and Dita entered into a compromise agreement and the same was given
judicial imprimatur by the respondent judge. Subsequently, Virgilio filed a Motion
praying for the repudiation of the compromise agreement on the grounds that his
previous lawyer did not intelligently and judiciously apprise him of the
consequential effects of the Compromise Agreement. Issue: WON the alleged
negligence of Virgilio’s lawyer, would give him the right to repudiate the
Compromise Agreement. No. Ruling: In Salonga v. Court of Appeals,12 the Court held:
[I]t is well-settled that the negligence of counsel binds the client. This is based
on the rule that any act performed by a lawyer within the scope of his general or
implied authority
conducted by the committee was only for the purpose of determining if he could be
held administratively liable under the law for the complaints filed against him. As
such, the hearing conducted by the investigating committee was not part of a
criminal prosecution. While investigations conducted by an administrative body may
at times be akin to a criminal proceeding, the fact remains that under existing
laws, a party in an
49
The CA may dismiss an appeal for failure to file appellant's brief on time. It is
given the discretion which must be exercised in accordance with the tenets of
justice and fair play, having in mind the circumstances obtaining in each case. In
this case, the CA gave petitioner sufficient opportunity to file his appellant's
brief. Instead of complying, however, petitioner chose to ignore the many
directives of the CA and now puts the blame on his former counsel Atty. Gallardo,
who was allegedly guilty of gross negligence. Even if the Court were to admit that
Atty. Gallardo was negligent, the rule is that negligence of counsel binds the
client. The only exception is when the negligence of said counsel is so gross,
reckless and inexcusable that the client is deprived of his day in court. No such
excepting circumstance can be said to be present in this case because as properly
observed by the appellate court, petitioner himself was guilty of negligence. Hence
the present petition was dismissed. #93 ATTY. ROMEO S. PEREZ, VS. HON. JUDGE CARLOS
ABIERA, A.M. NO. 223-J, JUNE 11, 1975 By: Bianca Cezar Facts: On September 23,
1971, Atty. Romeo S. Perez filed a case for "grave misconduct, gross dishonesty and
serious
Respondent judge now asserts that because he has retired from the government
service, the Court lost jurisdiction to take disciplinary action against him and
perforce has to dismiss the case because the relief prayed for in the complaint
“that he be dishonorably discharged from the
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
50
#94 CEFERINO PADUA vs. HON. SANTIAGO RANADA, G.R. No. 141949, October 14, 2002 By:
Bianca Cezar (Please See Case #19 Under Toll Regulatory Board Topic) DOCTRINE
REMEDIES #97 Sagip Kalikasan vs. Paderanga, 6/19/2008 OFEXHAUSTION OF
ADMINISTRATIVE
Issue: WON the Court has been divested of jurisdiction to proceed and resolve the
present charge against Judge Abiera due to the fact that he already retired from
the service. No.
By: Mides Cerbo (Please see Case #7 under the Doctrine of Primary Jurisdiction
Topic) DISTINCTION BETWEEN DOCTRINE OF PRIMARY
years),Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) advised TACC that its wastewater
did not meet government effluent standards, and informed TACC that it must put up
its own Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) for its effluent discharge to meet government
standards. Since constructing an STP would be expensive (P15M), TACC tried to
experiment with other methods of cleaning its waste water. However, the wastewater
still failed to meet government standards. For this violation, LLDA imposed a P1000
daily fine on TACC until the wastewater standard. with discharge TACC complies
entered with into for the an the
government agreement
then
World
Chem
Marketing
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
51
construction of theS TP for P7.5M. LLDA issued an Order requiring TACC to pay the
fine (~P1M) representing the penalty from until the STP was constructed. TACC
requested LLDA to condone the imposition of the penalty of P1,000 per day in
recognition of the remedial and corrective measures it undertook to comply with
government standards. TACC further argues that the non-compliance with government
standards was due to the omission and fault of Phil Realty. This was denied by
LLDA.TACC then filed a petition for certiorari before the Court of Appeals (CA)
with a prayer for the issuance of a temporary restraining order. The CA denied
TACC’s petition. ISSUE: 1.W/N TACC’ complied with the doctrine of exhaustion of
administrative remedies. – NO.2.W/N TACC is the one liable to pay the fine. –
YES.RATIO: Non-Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies The doctrine of non-exhaustion
of administrative remedies requires that resort be first madewith the
administrative authorities in the resolution of a controversy falling under their
jurisdiction before the controversy may be elevated to a court of justice for
review.
standards for water and air quality including the allowable levels of other
pollutants and radiations." Powers of the LLDA to Impose Penalty LLDA, by virtue of
its special charter, has the responsibility to protect the inhabitants of the
Laguna Lake region from the deleterious effects of pollutants emanating from the
discharge of wastes from the surrounding areas. Under Section 4-A of RA 4850, as
amended, LLDA is entitled to compensation for damages resulting from failure to
meet established water and effluent quality standards .It is clear that the
responsibility to comply with government standards lies with TACC, because Phil
Realty turned over the project to TACC five years before LLDA advised TACC that its
wastewater did not meet government effluent standards. If, as claimed by TACC, the
non-compliance was due to the omission and fault of Phil Realty, TACC’s recourse is
to file an action, if warranted, against Phil Realty in a proper court. TACC cannot
escape its liability to LLDA by shifting the blame to Phil Realty. Hence, the LLDA
did not abuse its discretion in issuing its 4 September 2003 Order. Sec. 4-A.
Compensation for damages to the water and aquatic resources of Laguna de Bay and
its tributaries resulting from failure to meet established water and effluent
quality standards and from such other wrongful act or
52
Municipal Liga Chapter President for the Municipality of Narra, Palawan. On the
other hadn, Elegio Quejano, Jr. is the duly elected Barangay Chairman of Barangay
Rizal, Magsaysay, Palawan and is the Municipal Liga Chapter President for the
Municipality of Magsaysay, Palawan. • Both Onon and Quejano were candidates for the
• Issues: •
WHETHER
OR
NOT
THE
QUESTIONED
PROVISION IN MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR 97-193 WAS ISSUED BY THE DILG SECRETARY IN EXCESS
OF HIS AUTHORITY. • WHETHER OR NOT THE RESPONDENT JUDGE GRAVE ABUSE OF DISCRETION
IN
position of Executive Vice-President in the August 23, 1997 election for the Liga
ng Barangay Provincial Chapter of the province of Palawan. • Onon was proclaimed
the winning candidate in the Held: COMMITTED
ISSUING THE QUESTIONED ORDERS. said election. • Quejano to file a post proclamation
protest with • Yes. It was issued by the DILG Secretary in excess of
the Board of Election Supervisors (BES), which was decided against him on August
25, 1997. • Quejano filed a Petition for Review of the decision
of the BES with the Regional Trial Court of Palawan and Puerto Princesa City (RTC).
Reason: • Onon filed a motion to dismiss the Petition for Review raising the issue
of jurisdiction. Onon claimed that the RTC had no jurisdiction to review the
decisions rendered by the BES in any post proclamation electoral protest in
connection with the 1997 Liga ng mga Barangay election of officers and directors.
In • RTC dismissed the petition of Onon. The RTC • The Court ruled that Memorandum
Circular No. 97-
193 of the DILG insofar as it authorizes the filing a Petition for Review of the
decision of the BES with the regular courts in a post proclamation electoral
protest is of doubtful constitutionality. We agree with both the petitioner and the
Solicitor General that in authorizing the filing of the petition for review of the
decision of the BES with the regular courts, the DILG Secretary in effect amended
and modified the GUIDELINES promulgated by the National Liga Board and adopted by
the LIGA which provides that the decision of the BES shall be subject to review by
the National Liga Board. The amendment of the GUIDELINES is more than an exercise
of the power of supervision but is an exercise of the power of control, which the
President does not have over the LIGA. Although the DILG is given the power to
prescribe rules, regulations and other issuances, the Administrative Code limits
its authority to merely
ratiocinated that the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government2
is vested with the power "to establish and prescribe rules, regulations and other
issuances and implementing laws on the general supervision of local government
units and the promotion of local autonomy and monitor compliance thereof by said
units."The RTC added that DILG Circular No. 97-193 was issued by the DILG Secretary
pursuant to his rule-making power as provided for under Section 7, Chapter II, Book
IV of the Administrative Code.Consequently, the RTC ruled that it had jurisdiction
over the petition for review filed by Quejada.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
53
them. If the rules are not observed, he may order the work done or re-done to
conform to the prescribed rules. He cannot prescribe his own manner for the doing
of the act. PRESIDENT’S POWER OF GENERAL SUPERVISION #125 Bito-onon vs. Judge Yap-
Fernandez By: Mae Bungabong (Please See Case #124 under the Principle of
Presidential Power of Control Topic)
FINDING OF FACTS #127 BAYANI BAUTISTA vs. PATRICIA ARANETA By: Mae Bungabong
NOTA BENE:
actual possessor of THREE (3) HECTARES, more or less, • The President's power of
general supervision over parcel of land, formerly owned by Gregorio Araneta II, and
situated at Carmel Farms, Tungkong Mangga, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. Tenancy
relationship between the former owner and plaintiff started way back in 1978. From
then on, plaintiff cultivated and possessed the subject landholding in an open,
peaceful, continuous and uninterrupted manner. 2. Bautista's peaceful possession
and cultivation was local government units is conferred upon him by the
Constitution. The power of supervision is defined as "the power of a superior
officer to see to it that lower officers perform their functions in accordance with
law." This is distinguished from the power of control or "the power of an officer
to alter or modify or set aside what a subordinate officer had done in the
performance of his duties and to substitute the judgment of the former for the
latter." • Supervisory power, when contrasted with control, is disturbed and, even
interrupted, when a group of armed security guards, through force and intimidation,
entered the subject landholding and threatened plaintiff with bodily harm. These
group of armed security guards, allegedly, were sent by herein defendant Patty
Araneta, successor of Gregorio Araneta II. They warned plaintiff to vacate and to
stop cultivating the subject landholding. 3. In his complaint, plaintiff initially
asked the Board the power of mere oversight over an inferior body; it does not
include any restraining authority over such body. Officers in control lay down the
rules in the doing of an act. If they are not followed, it is discretionary on his
part to order the act undone or re-done by his subordinate or he may even decide to
do it himself. Supervision does not cover such authority. Supervising officers
merely sees to it that the rules are followed, but he himself does not lay down
such rules, nor does he have the discretion to modify or replace to issue a
temporary restraining order to enjoin the defendant, through her security guards,
from continued employment of threat and harassment against his person.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASE BRIEF
54
Also, plaintiff asked the Board to issue a preliminary injunction, during the
pendency of the case, for the maintenance of status quo and for the recognition of
his right as tenant on the subject landholding.
4.
is not a tenant of the disputed land. Bautista admitted that he does not even know
the landowner • Factual findings of DARAB are not supported by
assistant, a letter from the Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer (MARO) of San Jose
del Monte, Bulacan requesting for a meeting which had been set two (2) months prior
to the receipt of said letter. Incidentally, not a single meeting materialized.
Instead, meetings with the Barangay Captain of Tungkong Mangga, San Jose del Monte,
Bulacan were scheduled including one on July 17, 1991, which was maliciously pre-
empted by the filing of the complaint for Peaceful Possession with prayer for the
issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order and Writ of Preliminary Injunction. 5.
Araneta contended that Bautista has no cause of
substantial evidence. • This Court can not sustain Bautista’s argument that
action against her as the former is not a tenant on the subject landholding. She
added that the subject landholding does not fall under the coverage of the
comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988 (CARL) as it appears to be 18% in slope.
6. DARAB denied the petition of Araneta and favoured
SHOULD BE FINAL AND CONCLUSIVE. Held: • The CA did not erred in disregarding
settled
construction business. In 1986, PROMAT participated in the various biddings for the
construction of government projects within the First Metro Manila Engineering
District (FMED) of the Department of Public Works and Highways
55
6.
After the investigation Graft Investigation Officer Benitez found respondent guilty
of grave
Eduardo
misconduct as well as irregular or immoral acts and recommended his dismissal from
the service, with forfeiture of all benefits under the law 7. Graft Investigator
and Legal Officer Andrew
persistent suitor" and refused to deal with PROMAT’s liaison officer, insisting
that she personally attend to her company’s projects with FMED, otherwise, her
papers "would get stuck in his office." Respondent relentlessly pursued her and one
time invited her to a snack at the Philippine Plaza Hotel. After finishing her
drink, she felt dizzy. Taking advantage of her "semi-conscious state," he brought
her to a motel and raped her. That was the beginning of a hateful relationship. Her
attempts to extricate herself proved futile since he constantly warned her that
PROMAT would no longer do business with FMED unless the relationship continues.
Whenever she tried to avoid him, he would go to her house in the middle of the
night and create a scene by blowing the horn of his car, pounding at the gate,
shouting on top of his voice and pelting her windows with stones. As a result of
these disturbances, she suffered nervous breakdown and was eventually operated for
breast cancer on October 1994. 4. On May 22, 1995, one Winnie Gutierrez and
finding and recommendation with modification in the sense that the offense is only
misconduct and that the penalty is suspension from office for one (1) year without
pay 9. Eventually, Deputy Ombudsman Guerrero
dismissed the complaint for insufficiency of evidence. 10. Then the Court of
Appeals, in its original Decision,
reinstated Ombudsman Desierto’s Order dated February 26, 1996 finding respondent
guilty of misconduct and imposing upon him the penalty of suspension from the
service for one (1) year without pay. 11. Later, the Court of Appeals rendered an
Amended
Decision, this time, affirming the Guerrero Joint Order dismissing the
administrative complaint for insufficiency of evidence. 12. Issues: 1. Whether or
not the Court of Appeals erred in Hence, this petition
affirming the Guerrero Joint Order. 2. Whether or not Fabian was able to prove her
evidence. Reason:
56
1.
Joint Order because in the first place Fabian was able to prove her charges by
substantial evidence against Agustin. After carefully reviewing all the evidence
obtaining in this case, we find the positive declarations of petitioner and her
witnesses in their sworn statements more credible than those of respondent. In
administrative proceedings, only substantial evidence is required to hold
respondent liable for the charges against him. Here, we are convinced that
petitioner’s charges are supported by substantial evidence jurisprudentially
defined as such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to
support a conclusion. We quote with approval the following findings and
observations of Graft Investigation Officer Benitez, sustained by the Court of
Appeals in its original Decision, thus: "The complainant’s evidence and
respondent’s admissions stand for the requisite substantial evidence which in an
unprejudiced mind reasonably supports a conclusion that indeed the administrative
offenses, subject of the complaint had been committed. The uncontroverted facts
show that respondent courted complainant and established intimate relationship with
her. On account of that affair, or at least in the course thereof, her firm was
awarded a number of contracts by the office of which respondent was the head. From
these contracts even the respondent averted that she derived ‘windfall profits.’
Times were, through complainant’s persuasion, respondent
disgraceful
immoral
DECISIONS # 131 The Alexandra Condo Corp. vs. LLDA, 599 scra 453 by: Mides Cerbo
(Please See Case #108 Under Distinction between Doctrine of Primary Jurisdiction
and Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies) THREE-FOLD RESPONSIBILITY #133 SPS. CHUA
VS. HON. JACINTO G. ANG, G.R. NO. 156164, SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 Refer to Case #13 under
HLURB Topic
57
By: Mides Cerbo FACTS: On May 7, 1998, petitioner, in his capacity as Cebu City
mayor, signed a contract with F.E. Zuellig for the supply of asphalt to the city.
The contract covers the period 1998-2001, which period was to commence on September
1998 when the first delivery should have been made by F.E. Zuellig. Sometime in
March 1999, news reports came out regarding the alleged anomalous purchase of
asphalt by Cebu City, through the contract signed by petitioner. This prompted the
Office of the Ombudsman (Visayas) to conduct an inquiry into the matter. Respondent
Jesus Rodrigo T. Tagaan, special prosecution officer of the Office of the
Ombudsman, was assigned to conduct the inquiry, docketed as INQ-VIS-99-0132. After
his investigation, he recommended that the said inquiry be upgraded to criminal and
administrative cases against petitioner and the other city officials involved.
Respondent Arturo C. Mojica, Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas, approved this
recommendation. ISSUES: 1. WON Garcia may be held administratively liable.NO. “In a
number of cases, we have repeatedly held that a reelected local official may not be
held administratively accountable for misconduct committed during his prior term of
office. The rationale for this holding is that when the electorate put him back
into office, it is presumed that it did so with full knowledge of his life and
character, including his past misconduct. If, armed with such knowledge, it still
re-elects him, then such re-election is considered a condonation of his past
misdeeds. However, in the present case,
voted for petitioner with knowledge of this particular aspect of his life and
character. For his part, petitioner contends that “the only conclusive determining
factor” As regards the people’s thinking on the matter is an election. On this
point, we agree with petitioner. That the people voted for an official with
knowledge of his character is presumed, precisely to eliminate the need to
determine, in factual terms, the extent of this knowledge. Such an undertaking will
obviously be impossible. Our rulings on the matter do not distinguish the precise
timing or period when the misconduct was committed, reckoned from the date of the
official’s re-election, except that it must be prior to said date.” The above
ruling in Salalima applies to this case. Petitioner cannot anymore beheld
administratively liable for an act done during his previous term, that is, his
signing of the contract with F.E. Zuellig. The agreement between petitioner
(representing Cebu City) and F.E. Zuellig was perfected on the date the contract
was signed, during petitioner’s prior term. At that moment, petitioner already
acceded to the terms of the contract, including stipulations now alleged to be
prejudicial to the city government. Thus, any culpability petitioner may have in
signing the contract already became extant on the day the contract was signed. It
hardly matters that the deliveries under the contract are supposed to have been
made months later. While petitioner can no longer be held administratively liable
for signing the contract with F. E. Zuellig, however, this should not prejudice the
filing of any case other than administrative against petitioner. Our ruling in this
case, may not be taken to mean the total exoneration of petitioner for whatever
wrongdoing, if any, might have been committed in signing the subject contract. The
ruling now is limited to the question of whether or not he may be held
administratively liable therefor, and it is our considered view that he may not.
respondents point out that the contract entered into by petitioner with F.E.
Zuellig was signed just four days before the date of the elections. It was not made
an issue during the election, and so the electorate could not be said to have
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2. WON the Ombudsman was stripped of its powers by virtue of the LGC.No. Indeed,
there is nothing in the Local Government Code to indicate that it has repealed,
whether expressly or impliedly, the pertinent provisions of the Ombudsman Act. The
two statutes on the specific matter in question are not so inconsistent, let alone
irreconcilable, as to compel us to only uphold one and strike down the other. The
decision of the Ombudsman (6 month suspension) will prevail over the LGC (60day
suspension) if the evidence of guilt is strong.* The power to preventively suspend
is available not only to the Ombudsman but also to the Deputy Ombudsman.
been submitted for decision for a period of 90 days have been determined and
decided on or before January 31, 1989, when in truth and in fact, petitioner Maceda
knew that no decision had been rendered in 5 civil and 10 criminal cases that have
been submitted for decision. Respondent Abiera alleged that petitioner Maceda
falsified his certificates of service for 17 months. Issue: Whether or not the
investigation made by the Ombudsman constitutes an encroachment into the SC’s
constitutional duty of supervision over all inferior courts Held:
“SEC. 24. Preventive Suspension. A judge who The Ombudsman or his Deputy may
preventively suspend any officer or employee under his authority pending an
investigation, if in his judgment the evidence of guilt is strong.” OMB
JURISDICTION #154 Honasan vs. DOJ Panel (superseded by OMB-DOJ MOA 3/29/12),
4/13/2004 By: Mides Cerbo (Please See Case #58 under Implementing Rules or
Interpretative Policies Topic) WHO ARE NOT SUBJECT TO OMB DISCIPLINARY AUTHORITY?
#158 and #162 Maceda vs. Vasquez, 221 scra 46 By: Mides Cerbo Facts: Respondent
Napoleon Abiera of PAO filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against
petitioner RTC Judge Bonifacio Sanz Maceda. Respondent Abiera alleged that
petitioner Maceda has falsified his certificate of service by certifying that all
civil and criminal cases which have Where a criminal complaint against a judge or
other court employee arises from their administrative duties, the falsifies his
certificate of service is administratively liable to the SC for serious misconduct
and under Sec. 1, Rule 140 of the Rules of Court, and criminally liable to the
State under the Revised Penal Code for his felonious act. In the absence of any
administrative action taken against him by the Court with regard to his
certificates of service, the investigation being conducted by the Ombudsman
encroaches into the Court’s power of administrative supervision over all courts and
its personnel, in violation of the doctrine of separation of powers. Art. VIII,
Sec. 6 of the Constitution exclusively vests in the SC administrative supervision
over all courts and court personnel, from the Presiding Justice of the CA down to
the lowest municipal trial court clerk. By virtue of this power, it is only the SC
that can oversee the judges’ and court personnel’s compliance with all laws, and
take the proper administrative action against them if they commit any violation
thereof. No other branch of government may intrude into this power, without running
afoul of the doctrine of separation of powers.
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59
Ombudsman must defer action on said complaint and refer the same to the SC for
determination whether said judge or court employee had acted within the scope of
their administrative duties. #161 and #165 Garcia vs. Miro, 582 scra 127 by: Mides
Cerbo Facts: City Mayor Garcia was charged by Ombudsman Special Prosecution Officer
Jesus Rodrigo Tagaan for violation of the Anti-Graft Law as a result of his having
entered into a contract with F.E. Zuellig for the supply of asphalt batching plant
for three years. The joint affidavits of State Auditors Cabreros and Quejada
alleged that petitioner entered into the contract without available funds
appropriated to cover the expenditure in violation of Sections 85 and 86 of P.D.
1445 or the State Audit Code of the Phil.; that petitioner exceeded the authority
granted him by the Sangguniang Panlungsod; and that the contract is manifestly
government. In Almonte vs. Vasquez, 244 SCRA 286, we held that even unverified and
anonymous letters may suffice to start an investigation. The Office of the
Ombudsman is different from the other investigatory and prosecutory agencies of the
government because those subject to its jurisdiction are public officials who,
through official pressure and influence, can quash, delay, or dismiss
investigations against them. The joint affidavits of State Auditors Cabreros and
Quejada contain allegations specific enough for petitioner to prepare his evidence
and counterarguments. The fact that Special Prosecution Officer Tagaan already
resigned from his office and that his name was withdrawn as complainant in the case
is of no consequence. First, Tagaan’s report and affidavit still form part of the
records of the case. He can still be called by subpoena, if necessary. Second,
Tagaan was only a nominal party whose duty as special prosecutor was to investigate
the commission of crimes and file the corresponding complaint whenever warranted.
Since the illegal acts committed are public offenses, the real complainant is the
State, which is represented by the remaining complainants. #162 Maceda vs. Vasquez,
221 scra 46 By: Mides Cerbo (Please See Case #158 under Who are not subject to OMB
Disciplinary Authority?) #165 Garcia vs. Miro, 582 scra 127 by: Mides Cerbo (Please
See Case #161 under Who are not subject to OMB Disciplinary Authority?) CASES ON
PREVENTIVE SUSPENSION #166 Garcia vs. Mojica, 314 scra 207 By: Mides Cerbo ( See
Case #139 under Three-Fold Responsibility Topic)
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