III.

Quasi-Judicial Power

A. Definition. The power to hear and determine questions of fact to which the legislative
policy is to apply and to decide in accordance with the standards to enforce and
administer the law.
B. Requirements.
i. Jurisdiction. The Supreme court held that jurisdiction and powers of
administrative agencies are limited to those expressly granted or necessarily
implied from those granted in the legislation creating such body; and any order
without or beyond such jurisdiction is void and ineffective. [Globe Wireless Ltd.
v. Public Service Commission, 147 SCRA 269]
ii. Due Process. In administrative proceedings, due process simply means an
opportunity to be heard and to reconsider or to explain, either written or verbal.
This rule applies a fortiori if the respondent chose not to avail of the opportunity
to answer charges because of the belief that the disciplining authority is without
jurisdiction [Utto v. Comelec, 375 SCRA 523]. When a party refuses to answer the
charges against him, he cannot invoke denial of due process. The refusal to
attend the scheduled hearings, despite due notice, is at his own peril. [Garcia v.
Pajaro, 384 SCRA 122]
C. Related Powers.
i. Power to promulgate Rules of Procedure. The absence of rules of procedure does
not diminish jurisdiction over the subject matter. Where the law does not require
any particular rule of procedure to be followed by an administrative agency, it
may adopt any reasonable method to carry out its function. [Provident Tree Farm
v. Batario Jr., 231 SCRA 463]
ii. Subpoena and Contempt power. May be exercised only if expressly conferred by
law, and when administrative body is engaged in the performance of its quasi-
judicial powers. [Guevara v. Comelec, GR L-12596]
D. Quantum of Proof. Findings of fact of administrative agency must be respected; it must
be supported by substantial evidence. [Lamyera v. Pangilinan, 322 SCRA 117]
E. Enforcement and Execution. If the law creating the administrative agency states that its
orders or decisions are immediately final and executory, an appeal does not stay its
execution. [Lapid v. CA, 334 SCRA 738]
F. Res Judicata. The decisions and orders of administrative agencies, rendered pursuant to
their quasi-judicial authority, have upon their finality, the force and binding effect of a
final judgment within the purview of the doctrine of res judicata. [San Luis v.CA, 174
SCRA 258]
G. Doctrine of Primary Jurisdiction or Prior resort. The courts cannot or will not
determine a controversy involving a question which is within the jurisdiction of an
administrative tribunal where the question demands exercise of sound discretion
requiring the special knowledge, experience and services of the administrative tribunal
to determine technical and intricate matters of fact. [Abejo v. De la Cruz, 149 SCRA 654]
H. Doctrine of Exhaustion of Administrative remedies. Direct recourse to court does not
prosper until after all administrative remedies are first exhausted. [Garcia v. CA, 358
SCRA 416]
i. Exceptions. (a) Due process is violated, (b) Issue involves pure question of law,
(c) Administrative action is patently illegal amounting to lack or excess of
jurisdiction, (d) Estoppel, (e) when the respondent is a department secretary
whose acts as an alter ego of the President bears the implied and assumed
approval of the latter, et al. [Paat v. CA, 266 SCRA 167]
ii. Effect. Dismissal for lack of cause of action. [Sunville Timber v. Abad]